rgeon, and the big man had their pistols taken from their belts so
quickly that resistance was utterly out of the question, covered as they
were by half-a-dozen muskets pointed at their breasts.

Then Adams stepped out and addressed the captain. 804

"No harm will be done to you and yonr men, but you must remain our
prisoners for awhile. Then your arms will be returned to you, and you
can go back to your ship. Your boat-keepers are secured."

"What in God's name does this mean?" cried the unfortunate officer.

"Silence, if you value yonr life," cried the same stern voice that had
called upon them to surrender.

The captain turned and sought to discern the speaker, but the muzzle
of a pistol was placed menacingly against his chest, and he was again
ordered to be silent.

Then at a sign from Adams all the crews' and officers' arms were carried
off to the boats by two natives, and the wondering seamen were bidden by
Adams to lift the coffins and follow him.

"Do not attempt to escape," he said, speaking to the whole party
generally; "if you do you will be shot down without mercy."

As he spoke Ford, with five armed natives, silently joined the rest of
the captors. Follerton, the captain, and the surgeon all looked at him
curiously.

"March, gentlemen," he said, pointing with his drawn cutlass to the
bearers of the coffins, who were now, guided by Adams, pushing their
way through the timber, surrounded by their native guards with muskets
cocked.

In ten minutes the belt of timber had been passed through, and captors
and captured emerged upon a grassy sward.

"Halt!"

Again that hoarse, strange voice sounded from somewhere near, and the
seamen shuddered as they gently laid their burdens on the ground.

"Bury your dead, sir, and have no fear," said Adams to the captain.

Then he and Ford spoke to their followers, who silently drew back and
permitted the seamen who carried shovels to advance. The ground was soft
and moist, and their task was soon accomplished, and the coffins lowered
into their graves.

Then the captain, followed by the surgeon and Roger Fullerton, advanced,
prayer-book in hand, and read the burial service, and Adams and Ford
wondered somewhat when, at its conclusion, a heavy sob burst from
Fullerton.

Quickly the earth was shovelled in, and soon two mounds showed on
the sward. Then came the clank of arms, and the mourners were again
surrounded by their half-nude guards.

"Follow," said A