"An arrow. For goodness' sake keep in shelter, for I'm afraid they're
poisoned."

"Glad to see you back safe," cried the captain, hurrying up to him. "I
can talk to the miserable wretches now. Hi! there, forward. Come away
from those guns. Capstan-bars, all of you. Keep in shelter, and down
with every one who tries to get on board; but mind the spears."

A few more orders were given, a tub to buoy the cable thrown over the
side, and the yacht began to glide steadily with the tide, as the engine
clanked, and the motion of the shaft produced its regular vibration
through the graceful vessel, with only two men visible to those in the
canoes--the captain and the man at the wheel, and they both sheltering
themselves from the black marksmen as well as they could, the sailor
kneeling on the grating.

The savages in three canoes uttered a furious yelling, and plunged their
paddles over the sides to attack in front and on both quarters, but one
was a little late in crossing the yacht's bows, and the next minute,
with full steam ahead, and in obedience to movements of the captain's
hands, the sharp prow of the swift vessel struck the sluggish canoe full
in the side about 'midships. Then a dull crashing sound, but no
perceptible shock. The _Silver Star_ cut the canoe cleanly in two, and
the portions of the destroyed vessel floated by on either side, coming
in collision with the others, which after closing in with a vain attempt
to board, grated against the yacht and were then left far astern.

It was all the matter of a minute. A few black heads appeared above the
bulwarks, as their owners leaped up and tried to climb on deck, but a
sharp blow, rarely repeated, sent them back into the lagoon with a
splash, to swim to the floating canoes, and the fight was over, save
that an arrow or two came whizzing to stick in the white planks; but the
enemy was too much engaged in picking up the swimming warriors to
continue their assault.

"There," cried the captain, rubbing his hands. "Your men-of-war may
carry the biggest guns they like, and their crews may be drilled to the
greatest perfection, but to my mind nothing comes up to the management
of the craft under a good head of steam. Now, Sir John, shall we give
them a few rounds of grape-shot, or let the poor wretches study the
lesson they have had?"

"No, no," cried Jack eagerly, "they're beaten; let them go."

Sir John nodded his approval, saying nothing, for he see