'and make a bolt along the beach
in the other direction, till I get into the hills. I can see better from
there, and perhaps make a signal to the ship.' Maurice got quietly down
from the tree, and after looking cautiously about him, was about to set
off at a run, when he found himself face to face with a young native
boy, who, running quickly forward, grasped him by the hands, and began
to talk volubly, at the same time trying to drag him towards the beach.
The boy, save for a girdle of ti leaves, was naked, and Maurice, anxious
and alarmed as he was for his own safety, could not but notice that the
young savage seemed terribly excited.

'Let me go, ye black naygur,' said Maurice, freeing his hands and
striking him in the chest.

In an instant the native boy fell upon his knees, and held up his hands,
palms outward, in a supplicating gesture.

Puzzled at this, but still dreading treachery, Maurice turned away and
again sought to make his way to the hills; but again the boy caught his
hands, and with gentle force, and eyes filled with tears, tried to push
or lead him to the beach. At last, apparently as if in despair of making
the white lad understand him by words, he made signs of deadly combat,
and ended by pointing over to where the boat had been attacked. Then,
touching Maurice on the chest, and then himself, he pointed to the sea,
and lying on the ground worked his arms and legs as if swimming.

'Sure, perhaps he's a friend,' thought Maurice, 'an' wants me to swim
off to the ship. But perhaps he's a thraitor and only manes to entice me
away to be murdered. Anyway, it's not much of a choice I've got at all.
So come on, blackamoor, I'm wid ye.'

Although not understanding a word that Maurice said, the native boy
smiled when he saw that the white lad was willing to come with him at
last. Then, hand-in-hand, they ran quietly along till they reached the
beach; and here the native, motioning Maurice to keep out of view, crept
on his hands and knees till he reached a rock, and then slowly raised
his head above it and peered cautiously ahead.

Whatever it was he saw evidently satisfied him, for he crawled back
to Maurice, and again taking his hand broke into a run, but instead of
going in the direction of the river, he led the way along the beach
in the opposite direction. Feeling confident now that he had found a
friend, Maurice's spirits began to rise, and he went along with the boy
unhesitatingly.

At last they r