oy, whose face was flushed with
excitement.

"I am compelled to, my lad. If anything happens to me, keep the men
rowing for the yacht. They must send help soon."

"I don't see them lowering down a boat," replied Jack. "Oughtn't we to
fire?"

"I'm afraid that it would be no good. But we must not let them master
us without striking a blow to save our lives."

"Striking a blow to save our lives," thought Jack, as he glanced round
him and saw their helpless position, for to have tried to escape by
rowing, if they were cut off from the yacht, seemed to be folly.

But, as is often the case when things look blackest, a ray of light
suddenly gleamed out. There had been no signs of help from the yacht,
but all the same those on board had not been neglectful, and as soon as
the danger the returning boat ran was seen, Sir John and the captain
prepared the needed help.

All at once there was a white puff of smoke seen to dart from the
yacht's bows. The water close to the middle of the great canoe was sent
flying, and as the roar of a gun echoed from the mountain side, the
canoe was seen to be cut right in two, and slowly settling down, with
half her men in the water.

"That was a charge of grape-shot, I know," growled Lenny. "Round-shot
wouldn't ha' done it."

"Hah!" ejaculated the doctor. "Pull, my lads, as you've never pulled
before."

The crew gave a cheer, and the cutter almost leaped to their vigorous
strokes, every man being now at the oars.

A minute or two later they were alongside, having nothing to fear from
the half-sunken canoe, whose occupants were struggling to keep
themselves afloat till they could urge the portions of the damaged
vessel on to the sands.

"Quick, all of you," cried the captain, "and look out for the arrows.
What! wounded man! Here, two of you."

A couple of the crew ran to him, and poor Ned was lifted over the side
and borne down into the cabin.

"Keep in shelter, Jack, my boy," cried Sir John, as he caught his son's
hand. "The arrows are coming in like hail. You are sure you are not
wounded?"

"Quite, father; I'm all right," said Jack, as he stepped on deck.

"Is Edward much hurt?"

"Here's Doctor Instow, ask him," said the boy, as the doctor came up out
of the boat, the last man but those who were hooking on the falls, to be
run up.

"Ned? I can't say yet. Don't stop me. I'm not sneaking out of the
fight, Meadows. I must go down to the poor lad."

"Speared?"