me. Lie down, sir. Let no one else show outside the trees."

"What are you going to do, Mark?" cried Mary.

"Put out the fire," he said quickly. "It will betray where we are."

He did not hesitate, but going down upon hands and knees crept down the
sand toward where, in the midst of the coral rocks, the fire was burning
in what they had called the kitchen.

Fortunately it was clear and glowing, the smoke having given way to
clear flame, but there was still a faint thread rising, and unless the
Malays took it for steam from one of the hot springs they might land
there to see, and if they did, though nothing was visible from a
distance, the trampled sand and litter of the camp, as well as the
tracks left by the keel of the boat, would show plainly enough that
there were inhabitants in the isle.

Those within shelter watched intently as Mark got over the intervening
space and disappeared behind the rocks, where, using his hands as
shovels, he rapidly threw on quantities of sand till the fire was
completely smothered out, and the birds roasting for their dinners
destroyed.

This task accomplished, Mark crept back, satisfied that if seen by the
Malays he would be taken for some animal, and as soon as he reached the
shelter of the trees, rising upright and gazing between the trunks out
to sea.

The stowaway was right; there were three praus now visible, and Bruff
was growling angrily, as if he recognised enemies in every long low
boat.

"What are you going to do?" said Mrs Strong. "Keep in hiding and let
them pass?"

"No," said Mark. "I must get round to Crater Bay and warn them there."

"Yes," said Mrs Strong, "that is right."

"How unfortunate that every one should have gone and left us this
morning!" said the major's wife.

Mark hesitated for a moment as if making his plans.

"I can't leave you all and go," he said at last. "You must come with
me. It will be a long hot walk; but you must come."

"I'm afraid the pirates have been round there, Mr Mark," said the
stowaway hoarsely.

"No, no," cried Mrs Strong.

"Which, begging your pardon, ma'am, they seemed to come from that way as
if they'd been round there."

"You've no business to say that," cried Mark excitedly. "It is only
guesswork, mother--Mrs O'Halloran. Come along, and keep well in among
the trees. Bruff, to heel, sir! You, Jimpny, lead the monkey."

"Yes, Mr Mark, sir; but hadn't I better get a gun?"

"Yes, of course," cried Mark