unity of my
absence from the camp, in search of you, when you met with your accident
at the treasure-cave, to return to their own island, taking along with
them a few unconsidered trifles. Doubtless they have now been helping
themselves again; and, although it is unlikely that they have taken
anything of real value, I will not have them paying marauding visits to
this island. They cannot again loot the brig, it is true, for they have
set fire to her, and she must now burn until she burns herself out; but,
unless I can very effectually convince them of the folly of such a
proceeding, we shall next have a small army of savages descending upon
the island itself, for the purpose of looting the camp, which will mean
a big fight, involving heavy loss of life to them, and ending in my
death and your captivity. Such a contingency as that will not bear
thinking of; I am therefore about to go out to them and induce them, one
way or another, to clear out. In plain language, I am going to drive
them out to sea; and if harm comes to them, they will only have
themselves to thank for it. They came here with a dishonest purpose,
and they must take the consequences. You will, of course, remain here,
with Sailor to take care of you. And do not be anxious if I do not
return for a few hours; I intend to drive them so far to sea that they
will find some difficulty in returning, especially as they must be
fairly tired already with their long paddle to windward. And now
good-bye, dear; I want to get afloat in time to prevent them from
landing."

"Good-bye, Dick dear," answered Flora. "Be sure that you take the
utmost care of yourself, and do not be away any longer than is
absolutely necessary. I shall be anxious until you return."

"Ah, but that is just what you must not be," exclaimed Leslie, as he
buckled on a belt containing two fully loaded revolvers, and began to
stuff packets of ammunition into his pockets. Then, seizing a brace of
Winchester repeating rifles from a rack in the corner of the tent, he
started on a run for the beach, loading his rifle as he ran, for he saw
that the blacks were in the act of leaving the brig.

Leaping aboard the catamaran, Dick cast off and made sail with all
speed, for it looked as though the blacks meditated attempting a
landing. As soon, however, as they saw the strange craft beating off to
meet them, and making short tacks to keep between them and the beach,
they whisked the canoe round