on the instant, and as he rose he
looked round; but there was nothing to be seen, and he was wondering
where the danger lay as he followed his father over the black sand
towards where the boat was always dragged over the low point beyond the
rocks, where he had just time to catch Bruff's head and press his hands
round his pointed muzzle; for from about a couple of hundred yards away
there came the low muttering of voices, followed by a yawn, and by Bruff
with a low muttering growl.

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

HOW MATTERS GOT TO THE WORST.

It took Mark some minutes to get rid of the confused, half-stupefied
sensation that remains after a very deep sleep when the sleeper is
suddenly awakened; but as his head cleared he found himself threading
his way among the rocks behind his father and crossing the lower part of
the arm which separated Crater Bay from the lagoon. Once the highest
part was cleared and they were descending toward the black waters the
captain caught his son's arm.

"You may speak now in a whisper," he said. "The rocks are between us
and the Malays."

"Have they come then, father?"

"Yes; Morgan heard them come stealing along the lagoon in the darkest
part of the night, and they are lying less than a quarter of a mile
away."

"Do they know we are here?"

"I hope not, my boy; but when daylight comes they are sure to come over
into the bay, and--"

He stopped short, for a vivid light flashed out, and for a moment Mark
could see the black bay, the wreck, the little cutter-like vessel lying
by her, and a group of people down below them at the water's edge.

"Lightning?" said Mark.

"No; it is from the mountain."

As he spoke there was a dull vibration and a low rumbling sound, as if
some heavy body had passed heavily beneath their feet.

"What are we going to do?" asked Mark eagerly.

"Escape if we can," said the captain. "We cannot take the ladies
inland. The jungle about here is impassable."

"Then you are going to steal away?"

"Yes, my lad, if we can get aboard. We ought to have got the boat
across last night, Mark, instead of leaving it till now."

"Are they going to get it across the point now?"

"Yes," replied the captain; and at that moment they were joined by
Gregory, Morgan, Small, and the major.

"Ready?" said the captain.

"Yes," replied Gregory. "Come along, my lads."

Three men came up and stood waiting for orders, and the major joined the
captain.

"You unders