Warner, sir. And
he's hand and glove with the other chaps."

"Thank you very much for your confidence, Joe," said Barry. "I believe
the man is an out-and-out villain, but I shall be on my guard now, more
than ever."

Then once more they turned their attention to their quest.

* * * * * *

A very brief inspection of the land in the vicinity of the little bay
satisfied Barry that it would answer admirably for a station. All
around were thousands upon thousands of coco-palms, and further back
were some hundreds of huge jack fruit trees--a species of breadfruit
bearing fruit of irregular shape, and containing large seeds. The brig
could be moored within fifty yards of the beach so deep was the water,
and fresh water for the ship's use could easily be had, Velo assured
him, by sinking in the rich soil among the bread-fruit grove.

Just as they emerged out into the open again, and came in sight of the
boat, one of the men in her called out to Velo that the three natives
they had seen were women, and that one was dressed like a white woman!

"A white woman!" cried Barry, and running down to the boat he looked
along the beach at the three advancing figures. One of them certainly
was dressed in European clothing.

"That is very queer," said Barry to Joe. "Hallo, they've stopped."

The women had ceased walking, and were now standing close together,
evidently talking. Then the two brown-skinned, half-nude figures sat
down on the sand, and the third came on alone towards the boat; she was
walking slowly, and apparently with difficulty.

"Let us go and meet them," said Barry.

Putting their rifles into the boat, he, Velo, and Joe at once started,
and the moment the woman saw them coming she waved her hand to them;
then toiling wearily up to the top of the beach, she sat down and
leaned her back against the bole of a coconut tree, but still continued
to beckon with her hand.

"She's done up, sir," cried Joe, as they broke into a run.

In less than ten minutes the three men were close up to her, Barry
leading. Then she rose to her feet again, and with outstretched hands
came to meet him, and Barry saw that she was a young woman of about
five-and-twenty, and her features, though tanned by a tropic sun,
undoubtedly those of an European.

"I am so tired," she panted excitedly, as Barry took her hand, "and I
have hurt my foot running to meet you. I was afraid you----"

She ceased, a