smuch as a couple of men were discernible with the naked eye on the
proa, it followed that the latter must descry the three individuals
who were standing out in full view upon the shore of the island.

"How about this?" asked Captain Bergen, stepping to the side of his
mate, and speaking in an undertone. "Shall we rejoice or not?"

"It's uncertain," was the dubious reply. "Those boats generally carry
the vagabonds of the ocean, and the last motive which, as a rule,
brings them to a spot like this is humanity."

"Where's your glass?"

"I declare, I never thought of that--I was so surprised!"

Storms carried it with him always, and he now brought it to bear upon
the singular-looking craft approaching. It was so close inshore that,
with the aid of the instrument, he was able to see everything
distinctly, especially as the boat at that moment bore off a little
and then headed toward the entrance again.

So far as could be ascertained, there were three persons on the boat,
and the captain reached the same conclusion after using the glass.

"If that's the case," said Captain Bergen, "we haven't anything to
fear from them, for, with our guns and ammunition, we can hold our own
against a dozen South Sea Islanders."

"There may be others concealed about the craft, but I incline to think
not. However, it's best to be prepared. So let's get to the house and
make ready to receive them--whether they come as enemies or friends."

The suggestion was a prudent one, and the two men hurried up the beach
in the direction of the cabin, while Inez remained to watch the proa.
The men examined their rifles and saw they were loaded and ready for
instant use, and then, bearing one apiece, they came forth again. As
they did so, something like a shadow seemed to shoot through the
trees, and, looking toward the lagoon, they saw the cause. The proa
had entered the quiet waters within, and was coming to rest as
gracefully as a sea gull stops in its flight.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE FLYING PROA AND ITS COMMANDER

The lateen sail of the proa descended with a rattle and bang, the man
at the oar gave it several vigorous sweeps, and the strange-looking
but astonishingly swift craft came to rest almost in the same position
that the schooner _Coral_ occupied three years before.

"Helloa, there! How are you? How long have you been here?"

When it is stated that this hail came from aboard the proa, it is
unnecessary to say that our two frien