a threatening band at the water's edge, on hearing
the strange reports ring out--saw the sailor flung upon the coral beach.
They bent over him, then raised a wild cry for vengeance, for the waves
had cast at their feet the blood-stained body of the lifeless seaman.

"Landing from their boats, the Spaniards tried to force the natives from
the shore, but were driven back time after time at the point of the
savages' spears, till disheartened they leapt into their boats again and
made for the vessel. Foremost among the wild horde which fought so
desperately to avenge the murdered sailor was the daughter of the
chief--for among this tribe the women fight in battle no less than the
men. Her spear it was which pierced the traitorous Don Luego through as
he led on the Spaniards.

"Soon after the ship sailed away the savages took up their dead, and
carrying the sailor's body away they placed it in some secret spot,
whither also they conveyed the treasure which he had hidden near the
shore. There it is said to remain still, for though many daring
explorers have set out to find it, none have ever returned to speak of
their success, so the coolies say. Yet they would gladly convey the
sahibs to the island and help them to overcome the savage tribe still
living there, for they are bold seamen, and do not fear fighting
whatever enemies may appear."

"I daresay," commented Denviers, with a glance of amusement at the
coolies still shading themselves with the umbrella, "they would
willingly go with us until the first savage appeared, then they would
jump into the junk and make off, leaving us to defend ourselves as best
we knew how. I have not the slightest objection to setting out for
Formosa, but we will see to the craft ourselves and not trust to them.
What is your opinion, Harold?"

"Let us go, by all means," I answered. "Between us we can manage the
junk very well, and if we act cautiously we may come across this
strangely hidden treasure; at all events, we might try."

Hassan was accordingly dispatched to the coolies to tell them what
course we had decided to follow, and after some bargaining the junk was
placed at our disposal. Before many hours had passed we were on our way
to Formosa, little knowing what a strange adventure was in store for us,
or how perilous a task we had so lightly undertaken. Before commencing
our journey we carefully questioned the coolies as to where it was
rumoured the treasure had been secreted, an