stockaded post the skipper told Little of the mate's
doubts and suggested that it might be arranged for one of them at all
times to be in touch with the ship after this first visit to Gordon.
For, he said: "I'm not too sure of the man myself, Little, though
something tells me I misjudged him at first. That subtle hint of steel
under velvet sort of got me, and for a moment I suspected him of
heaving that knife at me. But against that is his treatment of you while
you were sick, and other things have helped to change my views."

"Don't know what to think, myself," rejoined Little. "At first I thought
there could not be another sailorman in the wide world like him. I was
ready to lick his boots those first few days at sea. He filled all my
ideas of what a rollicking sea dog ought to be, and I was tickled silly
at the wrinkles he taught me. Then came that fool stunt of mine, letting
go the anchor in a bad place, and it looked then that I had been
purposely set to meddling with that gear just to bring that off. What d'
ye think?"

"May have been accidental. Anyway, better take my lead as long as you're
doubtful. Rolfe is looking after him now, and we'll keep him in view
between us. But my advice is, show him that we trust him. Won't do to
anticipate trouble by making enemies."

They walked on until the stockade opened to view through the jungle, and
they turned into a narrow track leading to a strong gate ridiculously
disproportionate to the strength of the stockade. Artillery might have
battered in vain at the gate: one might force the walls with the
gunner's ramrod. As they swung around the last twisting angle of the
path, a flutter of white contrasted with the dark greenery for an
instant, then came the sound of a gate crashing shut, and the vision
vanished.

"Another gate," remarked Barry, stepping up to the main gate and
hammering on it with a piece of rock. "Was that a white woman? You saw
it, didn't you?"

"Looked like the fair Mrs. Goring," replied Little, staring in the
direction where the glimpse of white had been seen. "It may have been
one of the Mission folks, though. How about the gate? This wasn't where
the frock came out."

"This is the great main gate Houten told us about. He said it faced
sou'west by west and had a green skull on top, didn't he?"

"Sure thing! And there's the green head all right." Little whooped with
delight at the touch of old-time ghastliness. "And I forgot for the
moment you ar