e other gun."

"What for? I tell you we can go to sleep in peace to-night."

"With poor Mr Dallas like that?"

"Forgotten him for the moment. No; of course one of us will take the
watch, unless Terry comes down and turns civil. There, hi! look at
that! look at that."

_Bang_!--The report of the sentry's pistol as Syd and Roylance had
started trotting down towards the gun at the lower end.

In an instant the men about the fire had leaped up, and stood ready for
any action by their arms.

"Did you see it, my man?" panted Syd.

"Ay, ay, sir; came running along like a big tiger from up yonder by the
fire, and I fired at it, and then it was gone."

"Did you see which way it went?"

"No, sir, 'cause o' the smoke."

"It seemed to me to disappear among these rocks," said Roylance.

"No; I saw it come out from behind there, and then it leaped off into
the darkness just below the gun. Here, spread out, my lads; it didn't
go that way. Keep a smart look-out, and go steady down to the edge. It
couldn't have jumped off, and must be here."

A thorough search took place, and this was easy enough, for the space
within the gap or chasm was comparatively small. But there was no
result, and at last a few burning brands were thrown down from the edge
just below the gun to light up the rocks there, in the hope that some
animal might be lying killed by its fall.

There was nothing visible, and at last, after making their arrangements
for the night, Roylance and Sydney sat together, talking in low tones
about the mysterious appearance seen now twice.

"Here, I'll keep watch," said Roy, after they had taken another look at
the injured man.

"No, I'll take the first half," said Syd, quietly.

"Well, you're in command," said Roylance; "but I don't feel comfortable
about going to sleep with a wild beast dancing minuets all over one in
the night."

"I shall be watching," said Syd.

"Oh, very well: I'll lie down. Poor Terry's got the best of it; he has
been fast asleep for an hour."

Roylance lay down under the sail, covering himself with his boat-cloak,
and was asleep directly; while Sydney, after another glance at Dallas,
who seemed to be sleeping quietly, placed his pistols in his belt, and
went out to visit the watch.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

As Syd stood outside the effect was very curious. The wind was blowing
with hurricane violence, and in a dull distant way the sea was breaking
wave after wave against