that we can both pot them, if necessary, at fifty
yards, it will go a long way toward simplifying matters, by convincing
them of the futility of attempting any tricks. But you must not let
this very elementary precaution alarm you, sweetheart. As likely as not
they will prove to be perfectly docile."

"I am sure I fervently hope and pray so," answered the girl. "But in
any case," she continued spiritedly, "I shall not be frightened, because
I shall always have you to take care of me."

Nevertheless, as soon as Leslie, taking the natives with him, had
arrived on board the brig, she sedulously devoted herself to her
shooting lesson, infusing into it that whole-hearted seriousness that
women are wont to bring to any task set them; with the result that when
Dick returned that evening she was able to report that she had attained
to the desired degree of proficiency.

Meanwhile, Leslie found little difficulty in inducing the two blacks to
accompany him aboard the catamaran and out to the brig. And when he
reached the latter he had not much more difficulty in making them
understand what he wanted them to do--this, by the way, consisting
chiefly in heaving away upon the winch. He was careful to keep a
watchful eye upon them all day, and especially when they first boarded
the brig; being desirous to gather, if he could, some idea, from their
looks and actions, whether they had ever seen a ship before. But
although, as the catamaran drew up alongside the stranded vessel, he
noticed that they regarded her with a considerable degree of curiosity
and interest, these were hardly sufficiently marked to lead him to the
conclusion that they had never seen such a craft before. This, however,
was a comparatively unimportant matter. What concerned him most
intimately was the fact that, after their night's rest, they seemed to
exhibit a good deal more docility and intelligence than they had
displayed on the night before. They worked well and--apparently--quite
willingly, but did not appear to possess a very great amount of stamina,
as they manifested every indication of being pretty completely exhausted
before the day's work was over.

The next three days passed without the occurrence of anything worthy of
record, save that Flora, acting upon Dick's advice, continued her pistol
practice, with the view of further perfecting herself at the target, and
acquiring even still greater dexterity. On the fourth day, however,
feeling t