utterly slovenly in their address, holding their rifles at as many
different positions as there were men,--and even Little noticed that the
arms were not all from the same factory. But the strangers were before
them, and now one of them spoke curtly:

"Your business here?" addressing Barry in English.

"What is yours?" retorted the skipper as curtly.

"Answer me!" snapped the officer. "I am seeking just such a party as
yours."

"What if I don't choose to tell you?"

"In that case--" the man shrugged and smiled evilly. "Never mind, my
friend. I, as an officer of the Dutch Navy, demand your business here."

"Oh, since you speak officially, I am seeking gold for my employer on
land that your Government has leased to him," Barry replied. The result
was surprising.

"Gold!" The officer croaked the word as if derision were choking him. He
stared from Barry to Little and then at his companions, and they, too,
broke into derisive grins that sent Barry's anger mounting.

"Gold? A pretty tale, my friend. It is interesting to know that gold is
to be found here. I must look into your boat and see what instruments
you use to seek gold where no gold is. Search that boat!" he snapped,
and another white went off with two men to the river bank. In a few
minutes they were back, and they bore all the rifles lately stowed
therein.

"So!" sneered the leader. "All one needs to secure gold in Celebes is a
rifle--yes--" he swiftly counted heads--"a rifle to each man. Stop!" he
cried, as Little's hand slipped to his pocket. "You are my prisoners."

His own pistol was presented at Barry, and beside him another man held
an unwavering muzzle at Little. He gave some rapid commands in the
native tongue, and two men stepped out and securely tied the hands of
Barry and his friend. Another man stepped into the biggest hut, emerged,
and searched the rest in order. When he at last rejoined his fellows, he
carried some tins in his hand, and at sight of them a look of satisfied
cunning passed between the Dutch officers.

"Very good!" ejaculated the leader, and a cruel expression lurked in his
eyes. He conversed in whispers for a moment with his mates, then nodded
his head. "Easy to pick sheep from wolves here," he remarked, looking
swiftly over the native seamen and the gold washers. "These men are all
we want," and he indicated Barry and Little and the _Barang's_ party.

A shuffling formation took place, and half of the Dutch sailors ranged