stery they had seen, and in no wise lightened by the fact
that the star suddenly disappeared as the last canoe dashed out from the
lagoon.

"I think that has startled them," said the captain, as he had the light
shut off and gave the order for the yacht to go slowly astern, as he
made, as well as the darkness would allow, for their old quarters, but
did not reach them, it being more prudent to drop another anchor at
once.

No lights were shown and the strictest watch was kept, when the
gentlemen went below to their late dinner, and discussed over it the
probabilities of a return of the enemy.

"No, you won't receive another visit from them in the dark, gentlemen,"
said Captain Bradleigh merrily. "The star they saw will be talked about
among them for years. That big light must have been a scare; but I
expect we shall have them again by daylight, for this yacht would be a
prize worth having. But we shall see."

"Well," said the doctor, "I should think that the maker of that light
would be surprised if he knew to what purpose it was put."

"Yes," said the captain, "I should say it is the first time an
illuminated figure-head was used to scare a war-party of blacks."

"What about to-night, Captain Bradleigh?" said Jack anxiously.

"Well, if I were you, sir, I should go to bed and have a good long
sleep."

"Oh, impossible," cried the lad; "I could not close my eyes for feeling
that the blacks were come back."

"Try, sir," said the captain; and when the others went to lie down, on
the captain's assurance that steam would be still on and the strictest
watch would be kept, Jack lay down to try.

But he did not try, he had no time. Wearied out with the dangers of the
day, he laid his head on his pillow, after placing a double gun and
loaded revolver close to the bed's head, and just closed his eyes.

They did not open again till Ned stood there and announced that it was
"some bells," and that it was time to rise.

"How many, Ned?" said Jack sleepily.

"Oh, I dunno, sir, only that it answers to seven o'clock."

"And the savages?" cried Jack excitedly.

"Nowhere in sight, sir; but they've left the broken canoe as a present
for you. It's floating close in to the sands where we made our start
the day before yesterday. Lovely morning, sir, but I wish the
neighbours hadn't been quite so friendly and wanted to come and see how
we were getting on."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

THE USE OF THE LANCE.

Edward w