w and got rid of the
prisoners, he stood on down the river. The bar was fortunately as
smooth as when they entered, and running out, the pinnace, with the
captured canoe, was soon in the open sea. The latter was light enough
to take on board should bad weather come on; but, as she would
inconveniently occupy much space, she was allowed, while the sea
remained calm, to tow astern.

"Well, we've done something," said Desmond, as, the boat having got a
good offing, all hands were piped to supper; "only I wish we'd got hold
of that box of gold."

"I very much doubt the existence of the box of gold," said Adair; "the
object of the old Arab was to delay us till his friends could come to
his assistance, and cut our throats. However, if I am right, he acted
his part to admiration."

The pinnace continued her cruise. Happily the weather remained fine,
and no one had to complain of hardship, though all hands would have been
glad to get a run on shore, instead of being cramped up day after day in
the boat. As their water was, however, running short, they at length
stood into a small bay which offered a safe landing-place. The canoe
was found very useful in conveying them on shore, while the pinnace
brought up a short distance from the beach. Several natives came down,
who appeared friendly, and showed Adair and Desmond, who had landed, a
spring of water where the casks could, without difficulty, be filled and
rolled down to the canoe. While four of the men remained in the boat
with Archie, the rest brought the casks on shore, and all went on well.
A supply of water was taken on board, and trifling presents, as an
acknowledgment of the services they had rendered, given to those who
appeared to be the leading men among the natives. Hands were shaken,
and the party embarked.

"We must mark this spot," observed Adair, as they once more made sail;
"the natives appear to be good sort of fellows, and we'll pay them
another visit on our way northward."

The balmy weather which had hitherto prevailed was not to continue. The
south-west monsoon had begun to blow, and the sea got up, washing over
the bows and flying-deck, and giving ample occupation to all hands in
baling out the water as fast as it broke on board. It was impossible to
spread the usual awning drawn over the boat in ordinary rainy weather,
or when at anchor, as it would have been blown away in an instant; and
all that could be done was to keep her jogging on