clearness to his
brain, and the troubles there came back to mind.

"Let me help you toward the bay, my boy," said the captain. "There,
your trouble's over now. We'll give you a ride back."

"No, no! Stop here. Listen, father," panted the lad; and then in
agitated tones he told of their position, and of those who were waiting
for succour among the trees.

The captain started and looked at his son half doubtingly, and as if he
believed that this was some hallucination; but just then he raised his
eye, and there, faintly seen in the evening haze, was the long low form
of a prau just coming out from the projecting land.

"Hah!" he ejaculated, "we have left it too long. Morgan, go and take
command, and send here the major, Small, and two men. We must help them
to the bay. No; they are wearied out now, and there is a sick man. Let
the major and you get the boat round as quickly as you can. Follow us
along the shore--but you are too tired, Mark."

"No, father; I'm better now. I felt so miserable at seeing you go--
that's what made me seem ill."

"Luckily Small caught sight of you as we were rounding the corner there,
and we put back directly. But you are not strong enough to go. Turn
back with Morgan and come on in the boat."

"I must go with you, father," said Mark desperately, "or you cannot find
the place where they are hidden."

"True," said the captain. "There, lean on me. Quick as you can,
Morgan."

The mate hurried back to where two or three more figures were visible
now on the fast darkening ridge, while the black and purple clouds about
the mountain peak seemed to grow richer in colour and to tremble as if
there was a hidden light within.

But father and son gave but a glance at this, so anxious were they to
reach the spot where the ladies were awaiting help.

The forms of two praus were now visible for a few moments and then they
faded out, and the darkness came down as if poured out of the heavens
upon the sands--a thick transparent darkness through which the stars
seemed to peer and light up the sea on their left.

They had gone quite half-way before the regular rhythmical beat of oars,
and the splash and rattle of water beneath the gig's bows were heard.
Soon after the boat was abreast of them, the waves showing up luminously
as the oars dipped.

"Now, Mark, go aboard," said the captain. "You can halt when you think
we are abreast of the place, and give me a hail."

"No; you want