at that
moment coming down inside the reef. The old trader's half-caste son Joe
was steering, and the moment the boat touched the beach, he sprang out
and ran up to the house.

"Father sent me for you, Mrs. Marston. The old man is nearly off his
head with excitement. He has sent a native out on the reef to burn a
blue light so that it can be seen by the people on board the ship, who
will then know that there are white people here."

"Thank you, Joe," she said, as, kissing her little Marie, and bidding
Serena take her to Manning's house, and there await her return from the
ship, she ran swiftly to the boat, which at once pushed off, accompanied
by twenty or thirty canoes--all crowded with natives.

"Look!" cried Joe Manning, "there is the blue light!"

Half a mile away, on a projecting horn of the reef, the blue flame was
shedding its brilliant light, and clearly revealing the all but nude
figure of the man who held it.

"Father said, Mrs. Marston, when he took those three blue lights ashore
from the wreck of the _Lupetea_, that they might come in useful some
night----" and then he uttered a yell of delight as a great rocket
shot high up in air and burst; the ship had seen the blue light and was
answering it!

"Hurrah! she sees the blue light!" he cried, and then with voice and
gesture he urged his crew to greater exertions. They responded with
a will, and then, as a second rocket shot upward, a deep "_Aue!_" of
admiration was chorused forth by the occupants of the canoes, which were
trying hard to keep pace with the swift whale-boat.

"We'll see her as soon as we get round the north end, ma'am," said the
half-caste, as he swung the boat's head towards a passage through the
surrounding reef. Mrs. Marston made no reply; she was too excited to
speak, as with parted lips and eager eyes she sat gazing straight ahead.

Ten minutes passed, and only the _swish, swish_ of the canoe paddles
and the boat's oars broke the silence; then the high north point of the
island was rounded, and the _Esmeralda_ lay before them, so close, that
even though it was dark, figures could be seen moving about her decks,
which were well lit up.

Bidding his men cease pulling, and the natives in the canoes to keep
silent for a moment, the burly half-caste hailed.

"Ship ahoy!"

"Hallo, there!" cried Prewen's well-remembered voice, "we see you. Come
round on the port side."

"Ay, ay, sir," shouted Manning, and then, unable to restrain h