t, and then I noticed that he looked
very thin; and it was evident that the poor fellow had suffered terrible
privations in getting back our treasure, and proving himself so good a
friend.

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

FAREWELL TO A FRIEND.

"Don't you feel disappointed, Nat?" said my uncle smiling. "We shall
not be able to finish our boat."

"I shall get over it, uncle," I said. "Hallo! what's the matter with
Ebo?"

For before he had half finished eating he jumped up and made signs to us
which we did not understand, and then began to drag one of the chests
down towards the boat.

"I see, Nat; he means it is not safe to stay," said my uncle; and
setting to work we got all our treasures safely on board, with such food
and fruit as we had ready, filled the water barrel, and then paused.

But Ebo was not satisfied; he chattered excitedly and signed to us to
launch the boat.

"I'll take his advice," said my uncle. "He means that the savages may
be in pursuit."

So, pushing off, the sail was hoisted, and in the bright starlight of
the glorious night we sailed away, carefully avoiding the reef, where
the rollers were breaking heavily, and before we were half a mile from
the shore Ebo pressed my arm and pointed.

"Only just in time, Nat," said my uncle.

"What an escape!"

For there, stealing cautiously along between us and the white sandy
shore, we counted five large canoes, whose occupants were paddling
softly so as to make no noise, and but for Ebo's sharp eyes they would
have passed us unseen.

We had no doubt that they were going after our boat, and had they been
half an hour sooner our fate would have been sealed. As it was they did
not see the tall sail that swept us swiftly along, and by the time the
sun rose brightly over the sea we were far enough away from danger to
look upon it as another trouble passed.

We ran in two or three times where we found that there were no
inhabitants and obtained a few birds and some fruit; but this was so
dangerous a task that we afterwards contented ourselves with fish, which
we cooked upon some sandy spot or reef where the coast was clear, and we
could have seen the savages at a great distance, so as to leave plenty
of time for escape.

My uncle turned the boat's head south very reluctantly at last, for
there was a mystery and temptation about the vast isle of New Guinea
that was very attractive. The birds and insects we had collected there
were, some of them,