at length discovered, and placed
in the boat alongside, except one thing. They had shoved off, and were
gliding noiselessly down the lagoon, when Paul, feeling his throat
somewhat parched with the excitement he had gone through, asked Reuben
for a mug of water from a cask he saw at his feet. Reuben tapped it.
It was empty. To go without water would be destruction. There was none
on board the vessel. An expedition to the fountain must be undertaken.
Reuben and Croxton volunteered to go, as did O'Grady. They had,
however, first to return to the schooner to get more casks. There was a
fearful risk of waking up the sleeping men near whom they had to pass.
Not a word was spoken by either party. While one proceeded on their
expedition, the other sat still as death in the boat. Paul wished that
he had gone also, for he was very anxious about his friends; he could
not help fearing that should the pirates be awakened they would at once
fire at strangers moving near them. It appeared to him a very long time
since they had left the boat. He asked Devereux if he might go in
search of them, as he feared that they might have lost their way.

"They will be here soon," was the answer; "they have no light weight to
carry between them."

The time seemed longer perhaps than it really was. At length footsteps
were heard.

"Here they come," said Devereux, and some figures emerged from the
darkness. They must be their friends; the pirates would have approached
with cries and threats of vengeance. O'Grady led the way, staggering
under the weight of a cask; the men followed with still heavier burdens.

"We must be off; we heard the fellows talking in the hut," he whispered.
Not another word was spoken; it was a moment for prompt action, if they
would save their lives, for if captured by the pirates they would be
treated with scant ceremony or mercy. The black took the helm; indeed,
he alone knew anything of the shape of the lagoon, or of the passage
which led from it to the sea. There were oars for each of the party.
They pulled on in perfect silence, placing their handkerchiefs in the
rowlocks to lessen the noise of the oars. There were numerous turns in
the lagoon, which prevented them at first from feeling the wind. After
pulling some way, however, they discovered that a strong gale was
blowing directly into the mouth of the lagoon. It must have sprung up
after they had visited the schooner, or they would have felt it