ally see the wreck. Here Dominick went on
all-fours, appearing, as he crept slowly forward, like some sort of huge
bear with no tail, and its hind feet turned the wrong way. Otto
followed like a little bear with similar undignified peculiarities.
Having advanced far enough to obtain a clear view of the wreck, the
spies sank into the grass and crept forward a little way. Then they lay
still a few moments and listened. They then raised their heads
cautiously and looked. What they heard and saw puzzled them not a
little.

First, they noted that the wreck did not seem to lie in the position,
with which they had been so long familiar. Then, as their eyes became
accustomed to the faint light, they observed that a small boat was
moving busily about the vessel's bow, and that a group of dark
scarce-distinguishable forms of men was standing on the shore.
Presently there was heard a low, yet not unfamiliar growl. This was
followed by a high yet not unfamiliar shriek, accompanied by a grating
sound.

"Lions and cockatoos!" whispered Otto, who had crept up alongside of his
brother by that time, "what _can_ they be about?"

"Is that a line I see athwart the sky?" asked Dominick, "look--just
between the wreck and the big ledge there."

Said Otto, "It's more than a line. _I_ see it. Half a dozen lines at
least, and something like a round lump in the middle of 'em. Don't you
see it?--against the sky like a black moon--"

"Hush! boy--the growl again!"

"Ay, man, also the cockatoo."

"Oh! I have it now," whispered Dominick, with a low laugh; "they've
rove blocks and tackle from the ship to the rocks, and are working them
softly. Evildoers fear to be overheard, even when there's no chance of
being so! Your lion, Otto, is the subdued yo-heave-ho of the men."

"I see," said Otto, with a grin so broad that his white teeth glistened
even in the dark, "and my cockatoo is the unsubdued screeching of the
block-sheaves! They must be trying to get the ship off the reef."

A heavy plunge at that moment told that the conspirators were not only
trying but had succeeded, for the plunge was followed by an irresistible
though powerfully suppressed cheer.

"We have not a moment to lose, Otto," whispered Dominick. "The ship is
free, and they will only take time to carry the tackle aboard before
embarking. Do you run back and bring the squad down at the double. I
will keep our friends here in play till they come."

Not a word