for an
instant, still growling, and his coat bristling with anger; then, with a
quick yelp of fury he dashed off and darted behind the tent, and the
next instant there was a dreadful outcry, mingled with the fierce
barking and snarling of the dog. I was absolutely petrified with
terror, for you were away, and already far beyond the reach of any sound
or signal that I could make, while I was left alone on the island with I
knew not who or what. Then the thought came to me to make a dash for
the tent, and get the pistol that you gave me to practise with; but
before I could carry out my idea, a perfect swarm of blacks, headed by
Sambo and Cuffy, rushed out from behind the tent--with Sailor in the
midst of them, fighting furiously; and in an instant I turned and ran
for the beach, with them in pursuit.

"I have not the faintest idea what I intended to do; my one thought was
to keep out of their clutches as long as possible; but, of course, I was
almost instantly overtaken and seized, and my hands held behind me by
Sambo, while Cuffy stood before me threatening me with a spear. Then,
while some of the natives went off to the stack of stores and began to
`overhaul' them, as you call it, others disappeared in the direction of
Mermaid Head.

"It was a horrible sensation, and made me deadly sick to feel myself
actually in the clutches of those dreadful natives, and to see the look
in Cuffy's eyes as he stood before me brandishing his spear in my face;
but worse was yet to come, for presently one of the wretches came up
with some pieces of rope in his hand, and then they bound my hands and
feet together, rendering me absolutely helpless, as you found me.

"I suppose it would be about a quarter of an hour after this--although
it seemed very much longer--when the second party of natives returned
with a canoe, into which they flung me most unceremoniously; and then
they all went off together, leaving me alone and so tightly bound that I
was soon enduring agonies of torment. I bore the pain for perhaps an
hour, and then I must have swooned, for I knew no more until I recovered
my senses in your dear arms, and knew that you had saved me. Oh,
Dick--"

Then she suddenly broke down again, and sobbed so violently and clung to
Leslie in such a frantic paroxysm of terror that poor Dick became
thoroughly alarmed, and, in his distraction, could do nothing but soothe
her as he would a frightened child. This simple treatment, however,