the deep, deep stuff, skipper. I suppose Houten will drop
in on us next, appearing out of a pink cloud, or something. Golly!
Houten with cherub's wings riding down on a pink cloudlet!" he laughed
outright. Cornelius Houten wasn't built for wings.

"Time enough when he comes, and it doesn't matter how," returned Barry.
"Main thing is that at last there is something definite to do. Say--" he
called into the tree--"suppose you see ship you tell me, hey? Suppose
see big fella, allee same, hey?"

"Me here for dat, sar. You no bodder, Tuuan. I tell you."

The quiet, utterly unruffled, pipelike voice filled the three white men
with confidence, and it was a new Jack Barry that led the way back to
the ship and prepared her for defense against the promised attack.
Little received the orders with his own matchless grin of boyish
expectation; but Gordon's handsome face took on a look of serious
purpose that gave deep thought to the skipper. And another surprise was
in store for Barry, for Gordon suddenly gripped his hand, looked
straight and hard into his eyes, and said with a depth of earnestness
that thrilled:

"Here is to be the scene of such a retribution as will settle a dozen
crimes in one. Now I can tell you, Barry, that your happiness is not
lost, as you think. My own is so near that I must tell you this, for you
have been such a good sport all through a maze of subterfuge that would
easily have disgusted another man. Don't ask me more; but this much I
tell you, so that you can make your plans with an easy mind."

"All right, Gordon," Barry laughed easily. "Thanks for the kind thought;
but I have quit worrying over the future. At present I'm simply going to
carry out orders and fight for my ship. I'll gladly find a good place
for you if you'll tell me what you prefer--risk or safety."

"Safety? Say, Barry, I want to be placed, if possible, where I can do
good work without getting popped off by some footling little arrow
before the big game arrives. That's the only safety I want. I don't ask
to be guarded even to secure that; but if I can keep on my feet until
Vandersee comes, I'll die happy. That's how I feel."

"Vandersee? You mean Leyden, don't you?"

"Both. They'll get here together, skipper. Oh, I know."

"I see," returned Barry shortly, and set about his plans.

Bill Blunt was called into the consultation, for the old shellback had
established his worth as a man of action. The _Barang_ could muster
sixteen