tand," said the captain, "there must not be a sound. If
there is, we are lost."

"I understand," said Gregory gruffly.

"Have you got everything out?"

"Everything. She's light enough now."

"Come, major, then," said the captain. "You must be guard, Mark. Go
with the major, and help to take care of the ladies. No, stop. Perhaps
you can help me pick out the best route for the boat, but mind only one
person has to speak, and that is I. Get rid of that dog."

Mark hesitated for a moment, and then laying hold of Bruff's ears, the
dog followed him eagerly to where the ladies stood together shivering
with anxiety in the darkness.

"Keep Bruff with you, mother," he whispered; and then, after a stern
order to the dog to lie down, he hurried back over the black sand, and
found the little party threading its way among the rocks and over the
ridge to reach the spot where the gig lay drawn out of the water of the
lagoon.

They all halted for a few moments as Mark joined them, and just then a
vivid glare of light shone out, showing them plainly the hulls of three
long low boats lying out in the lagoon, whose waters quivered, and
looked for the moment as if of molten steel.

Then all was pitchy darkness, and through it came the sound of voices.

"They have seen us," said Morgan excitedly.

"No," said Captain Strong, "we were in the shadow. Now, then, three on
each side. I'll lead. Slowly does it. Mark, my boy, go to the stern;
you may keep it from touching the rock. Every pound of help will be
worth something now."

Mark eagerly went as directed, and the next minute, with three strong
men on either side, the gig was lifted up, and borne softly forward
almost without a sound, the party listening intently to the loud
jabbering going on aboard the praus.

The task was fairly easy at first, for it was for some distance over the
nearly level sand that the gig was carried, but soon rocks began to crop
up in their path, and in spite of the care exercised the keel of the
boat suddenly grated loudly upon a projecting piece of stone; an effort
was made to slew her round slightly to avoid it, and this caused Mr
Gregory to catch his foot on another block of stone, and nearly fall.

The captain uttered a loud "Hist!" and all stood fast, with beating
hearts, for a loud voice spoke in Malay, and the jabbering on board the
boats ceased, as if all were listening to try and make out what the
unusual noise was ashore.

Jus