now surely the God of the Golden Fish will
not let us perish from thirst. Within a few days it must rain;
drinking-water will come to us from the heavens. Tonight, I
understand, that the helmsman is to set sail for Australia in a small
boat, and take the boy with him. That will never do. As you know the
Captain and Redbeard are the helmsman's enemies and have conspired
against his life. He will not come back to save them--he would be a
fool if he did--but he loves the boy. Our only salvation lies in
keeping the boy here with us; in holding him as a whiplash over the
helmsman. Otherwise we are lost."

All nodded assent to Lihoa's words, but as they had no way of telling
the Captain what they wanted, they decided that when the time came for
the boat to sail they would forcibly detain Willy. Just here little
Peppo, whom they thought dead, appeared in their midst. He and one
sailor had escaped and swum across the little inlet. The cannibals had
not killed them when they did their companions for some reason or other
but had bound them with cords and left them on the shore. These cords
they had managed to unfasten, and, protected by the darkness, had got
away. While the sailor was telling his companions of his awful
experience Lihoa told Peppo what to say to the Captain, and to add
force to the words, the Chinamen in a body attended the small
interpreter on his mission. Great was the noise and excitement
following his announcement, but how could a handful of men oppose three
hundred Chinaman? Willy was ready to stay behind.

"Tommy," he said to the helmsman, "leave me here with Peppo and my
uncle. In the boat I'd only be in the way. I'll pray that you may
return soon. Good luck to you. Be brave of heart, Tommy, and may your
holy guardian angel watch over you."

Those embarking promised faithfully to come back or to send help as
soon as possible, and parted with tears in their eyes. Tommy kissed
Willy and said: "God knows that if I do not put my faith in your
guardian angel there is little hope of ever seeing you again on this
earth. Once more good-bye until we meet again. Pray for us all,
little one."

Thereupon he sprang into the boat, and they were off. The moon was
full and in its light they could be seen as they passed through the
opening in the reef. Again they called farewell and waved their
handkerchiefs. The crew raised the sail and in a few moments the stiff
breeze had carried the little