e the ship was moored, he prepared to strike out for it.

It was a long swim, and further than he had expected; for in the
darkness the captain, unable to see the land, had prudently
anchored at a considerable distance from it. Even, however, had it
been several times as far, Ned could have swum the distance without
difficulty; but the whole way he could not forget that those seas
swarmed with sharks, and that any moment he might have to encounter
one of those hideous monsters. He had left his sword behind him,
but carried a dagger and, as he swam, kept his eyes in all
directions, in order that he should not be attacked unprepared.

The ocean was however, fortunately, at that time deserted by these
beasts; or if they were in the neighborhood, the quiet, steady,
noiseless stroke of the swimmer did not reach their ears.

As he neared the ship his heart rose, and he sang out blithely,
"Ship ahoy!"

"Hullo!" was the reply. "Where are you? I cannot see your boat."

"I am swimming," Ned answered. "Throw me a rope, to climb up the
side. I have a message from the governor for the captain of the
ship."

A minute later Ned stood upon the deck of the Portuguese vessel,
the soldiers and sailors looking on wonderingly at him, his body
being white, but his face still colored by the preparation.

The captain himself soon appeared.

"I am the bearer of a message to you, senor, from the governor,"
Ned said. "It is here in this hollow reed. He gives you but few
particulars, but I believe tells you that you may place every
confidence in me, and that I have detailed instructions from him."

The captain split open the little reed which Ned handed to him, and
taking out a paper coiled within it, opened it, and by the light of
a lantern read:

"We are in a very critical position, and it will need at once
courage and prudence to come out of it. I have sent my friend Don
Eduardo Hearne, an English gentleman of repute, to warn you against
the danger which threatens, and to advise you on your further
proceedings. He will give you all particulars."

The captain invited Ned to follow him to his cabin and, calling in
the officers, asked for an explanation of this singular visit. Ned
briefly entered into an account of the landing of the natives of
Ternate, and of the present situation; and the captain rejoiced at
the escape, which he had had, from falling into an ambuscade. This
he would assuredly have done, had he landed the troops in