ied Mark. "If the ladies see you
like this they will be frightened to death."

The man pointed again toward where a long low point ran out into the
lagoon, fringed with luxuriant growth, but nothing more was visible.

"There, I thought as much!" cried Mark as he saw his mother coming up,
followed by Mrs O'Halloran, and Mary with them, the latter running on
in advance.

"What's the matter, Mark?" she cried as she came up--and then, "Oh, Mr
Jimpny, how you have got scratched!"

"There's nothing the matter, I think," said Mark laughing, for the
stowaway's face was comical with terror. "I think David has seen
another noise, or found a steam snake, like I did."

"No, no," panted the stowaway. "Boats! pirates! coming!"

"What! where?" cried Mark excitedly, as he looked in the direction
pointed out; and as he did so Bruff set up the hair about his neck, and
uttered a fierce and prolonged bark.

For there, just coming into sight beyond the point, was one of the long,
low, peculiar-looking boats which the Malays call praus, boats which
have been famous for ages as the means by which the fierce tribesmen
made their way from place to place, killing and destroying ship and town
wherever plunder was to be had.

"Down, Bruff! quiet, sir!" cried Mark. "Quick, every one! In amongst
the trees!"

Mrs Strong and the major's wife had hardly comprehended what was wrong
before they were hurried in among the trees, Jimpny following, limping
and still breathing hoarsely.

"I was up--up the side of the mountain," he panted, "when I--I saw them
coming. There's three boats."

"Three!" cried Mark, peering out from among the trees; and as he looked
it was to see one prau clear of the point, and another coming slowly out
into view.

"Do you think they saw us?" said Mary in a frightened whisper.

"No; not they," said Mark. "They could not, unless they had telescopes
and were watching; but ah! they'll see that. Come along, quick!"

He led the way, taking upon himself the guidance of the little party in
his charge, and together they hurried on through the trees to where the
huts were erected among the trunks of the cocoa grove.

"They could not see these places unless they landed," said Mark, looking
sharply about him, "and there is no boat nor anything that would take
their attention, only that."

"Only what, my boy?" said Mrs Strong eagerly.

"That," said Mark--"the fire. Jimpny, hold Bruff and don't let him come
after