ated what Sam had told
me to Harry, when the ladies were not within hearing, for it might have
made them unnecessarily anxious. Although my brother was inclined as
before to laugh at the idea of Captain Myers attacking us, he took the
same precautions as on the previous night. Tom Platt and I had the
first watch, with Dick Tilston, Tubbs the New Zealander, and three other
men; a couple of hands, besides the officer, would have been sufficient
on an ordinary anchor watch. We kept a look-out, by Tom's advice, not
only in the direction of the brigantine, but also towards the shore.

"You cannot tell what dodge those chaps may be up to," he observed.
"They may come in their own boats, or just as likely aboard a number of
canoes, to make us fancy that they are only a party of natives coming
off to trade."

Harry and Charles Tilston, with the rest of the men, had gone below, but
did not intend to take off their clothes, so that they might be ready to
spring on deck at a moment's notice. With all the precautions we had
taken I cannot say that I felt particularly anxious; indeed, I must own
that I should not have been very sorry if Captain Myers had made an
attempt to overpower us. I continued walking the deck, talking to Dick,
and occasionally exchanging a word or two with old Tom. The night was
calm, and the bright stars shining down from the clear sky were
reflected as in a mirror on the surface of the harbour. The only sound
heard was the low dash of the sea on the distant reefs, and occasionally
some indistinct noise from the shore. My watch was nearly over, and I
felt that if my head was on the pillow I should in a moment be fast
asleep. Suddenly, as I stopped in my walk, I fancied I heard the splash
of oars, but so far off that I could not be certain. I listened,
leaning over the bulwarks, with my hand to my ear. Again I heard the
sound, more distinctly than before, but though I peered into the
darkness I could see nothing. I went across the deck to tell Tom, but
he had not heard the sound.

"It may be one of the _Wasp's_ boats, but that's no reason why she's
coming here," he answered. "However, we'll be on the watch for her, and
take precious good care that she does not come alongside for the purpose
of doing us harm."

After this I listened, but could hear no sound, and at length fancied
that I must have been mistaken. It was just on the point of striking
eight bells, and I was leaning over the bulwar