lying strangled on the beach; the money had been re-divided,
and the gambling had re-commenced with more vigour than ever.

"How can this end?" exclaimed Philip to Krantz, as he looked upon the
blackened countenances of the murdered men.

"In the death of all," replied Krantz. "We cannot prevent it. It is a
judgment."

The raft was now ready; the sand had been dug from beneath it, so as to
allow the water to flow in and float it, and it was now made fast to a
stake and riding on the peaceful waters. A large store of cocoa-nuts,
old and young, had been procured and put on board of her, and it was the
intention of Philip and Krantz to have quitted the island the next day.

Unfortunately, one of the men, when bathing, had perceived the arms
lying in the shallow water. He had dived down and procured a cutlass:
others had followed his example, and all had armed themselves. This
induced Philip and Krantz to sleep on board of the raft and keep watch;
and that night, as the play was going on, a heavy loss on one side ended
in a general fray. The combat was furious for all were more or less
excited by intoxication. The result was melancholy, for only three were
left alive. Philip, with Krantz watched the issue; every man who fell
wounded was put to the sword, and the three left, who had been fighting
on the same side, rested panting on their weapons. After a pause two of
them communicated with each other, and the result was an attack upon the
third man, who fell dead beneath their blows.

"Merciful Father! are these thy creatures?" exclaimed Philip.

"No," replied Krantz, "they worshipped the devil as Mammon. Do you
imagine that those two, who could now divide more wealth than they could
well spend if they return to their country--will consent to a division?
Never--they must have all--yes, all!"

Krantz had hardly expressed his opinion, when one of the men, taking
advantage of the other turning round a moment from him, passed his sword
through his back. The man fell with a groan, and the sword was again
passed through his body.

"Said I not so? But the treacherous villain shall not reap his reward,"
continued Krantz, levelling the musket which he held in his hand, and
shooting him dead.

"You have done wrong, Krantz; you have saved him from the punishment he
deserved. Left alone on the island, without the means of obtaining his
subsistence, he must have perished miserably and by inches, with all his
money