noes, well-nigh a score of them; and they are making way over the
water at a pretty fast rate, too, towards us." I had not brought a
telescope, but shading my eyes with my hands the better to examine the
objects I was satisfied that Lizard was right, and that they were
canoes. At first I did not suppose that they, or rather the people in
them, had any hostile intentions; but suddenly the idea occurred to me
that they had discovered the schooner, and were coming with the design
of cutting her off. Should such be the case, it was important to warn
my brother without delay, that we might return on board and prepare for
the defence of the vessel.

"More nor likely, Mr Ned," answered Lizard when I asked him his
opinion. "As the mate was a saying afore we came away, you can never
trust those black fellows."

"Come on, boys, then," I cried. "We must make good use of our legs, or
the canoes will be up to us before we can reach the boats."

We set off, keeping close together that we might help each other in case
of any of us being hurt by falling. First Dick came down, and then Nat
had two tumbles, both scratching their hands and knees; but, the moment
they were on their feet, on they came again. I got an ugly fall, which
would have been much worse if Lizard had not caught me, and, as it was,
I cut one of my knees and hands on the sharp coral. At length we had to
stop and take breath, for, having not only to run, but often to leap
from rock to rock, it was very exhausting work.

"Are we going the right way?" asked Nat, looking round.

It was well he asked the question, for, on climbing a short way up a
tree, I discovered that we had been keeping too much to the right, and
should have arrived at the east instead of at the south side of the
island, where we had landed. Correcting our mistake, we again went on,
and I was very thankful when we came to the level part inhabited by the
colony of birds. We dashed through them, crushing many an egg, as well
as several hapless young ones, regardless of the screechings of the old
birds and the furious pecks they gave at our legs. I looked out ahead,
but could see nothing of Harry and the ladies. We shouted, thinking
that they might not be far off; but, receiving no answer, I hoped that
they had already embarked.

At last I caught sight of Harry, with Mary and Fanny seated near him,
both with their sketch-books before them. At that moment a gun was
fired from the schooner