mental confusion it seemed to him that some one
else was suffering too, and in a similar way, for he heard a low, dismal
groan, and a voice muttered--"Oh, my poor nut." Jack's eyes sprang
open, and apparently let light into his brain, for in one glance he saw
more than he had ever seen before in so short a glimpse.

For he had a full comprehension of his position, while the details
thereof fixed themselves like an instantaneous photograph upon his mind.
The mental agony chased away the physical, and he gasped as he realised
that he was bound hand and foot with green rotan cane; that Ned was in a
similar condition lying alongside, but with his face away; that they
were in an opening on the mountain side shut in by rocks and trees; and
worst of all, that a few yards away a party of about twenty blacks of
fierce aspect, and their hair mopped out with gum till each savage's
coiffure was bigger than a grenadier's cap, were seated chattering
together and feasting upon some kind of food which they had been
roasting at a fire made among the stones.

The peculiar odour of burnt flesh sent a thrill of horror through him,
and made a heavy dew of perspiration break out upon his brow at the
thought of what probably was to follow, and for a time he felt as if he
must shriek aloud. But he remained silent, though he did struggle
fiercely to free his hands and feet from their bonds.

How these people had come there was a puzzle, but he was bound to
confess that it was no dream. They had evidently landed on the island,
prepared a fire, and cooked their food, which certainly was not fish,
and they had surprised him and Ned, coming behind and stunning them by
blows of the war-club each savage carried stuck through the band he wore
about his waist.

One of Jack's first thoughts was, Had they surprised the doctor and the
four men with him as well?

As this thought occurred to him he searched the group eagerly, but there
was no sign of any plunder, and certainly he and Ned were the only two
prisoners, so there was some hope of their being rescued as soon as they
were missed. They were five, and Doctor Instow would not hesitate a
moment about attacking--how many were there?

He counted twice over, and then, with his head still sufficiently
confused to make the task difficult, he counted again, to find that
there were more than he had thought at first, several being flat on
chest or back, while two, like the Irishman's little pig, wou