Mr Frazer's two barrels," cried Max, as two reports in
quick succession were heard, coming apparently from the grove, in the
direction of the spring; "he has probably come across a couple of `rare
specimens,' to be added to his stuffed collection."

CHAPTER THREE.

THE ALARM AND THE CONFLICT.

THE MUTINEERS--THE RACE FOR LIFE--THE CORAL LEDGE--A FINAL EFFORT--A
BRIEF WARNING--THE STRANGE SAIL.

"Now bend the straining rowers to their oars;
Fast the light shallops leave the lessening shores,
No rival crews in emulous sport contend,
But life and death upon the event depend."

The next moment we were startled by a quick, fierce shout, followed
immediately by a long, piercing, and distressful cry, proceeding from
the same quarter from which the reports of fire-arms had been heard; and
before we had time to conjecture the cause or meaning of these frightful
sounds, Morton bounded like a deer from the grove, about a hundred yards
from the spot where we were standing, and ran swiftly towards us, crying
out--"To the boats! for your lives to the boats!"

Our first thought was, that the party at the spring had been attacked
and massacred by the natives. Arthur seized Johnny by one hand, and
motioned to me to take the other, which I did, and without stopping to
demand any explanations, we started at a rapid pace, in the direction of
the yawl, Max taking the lead--Arthur and myself, dragging Johnny
between us, coming next, and Morton a few paces behind us, bringing up
the rear. It took but a few moments to enable us to reach the spot
where the yawl lay, hauled up upon the beach. There was no one in her,
or in sight, except Browne, who was comfortably stretched out near the
boat sound asleep, with an open book lying beside him.

Morton aroused the sleeper by a violent shake. "Now, then," cried he,
"let us get the boat into the water; the tide is down, and the yawl is
heavy; we shall want all the strength we can muster."

By a united effort we got the yawl to the edge of the surf.

Browne, though not yet thoroughly awake, could not but observe our pale
faces and excited appearance, and gazing from one to another in a
bewildered manner, he asked what was the matter; but no one made any
answer. Morton lifted Johnny into the boat and asked the rest of us to
get in, except Arthur, saying that they two would push her through the
surf.

"Hold!" cried Arthur, "let us not be too fast; some of the others may
esca