of the indented character of the
shore, and the height of the bank bordering it for some distance, they
passed out of sight almost instantly.

Without losing a moment, I sprang down to the shore to communicate what
I had seen. Max, who had been posted upon the beach to keep a look-out
northward, ran up at the same time, having also caught sight of the
persons approaching us, as they came round a projecting point.

We now looked hurriedly around for some place of concealment, and Morton
pointed out a cluster of shrubs and rank weeds upon the verge of the
bluff just above us, from which, without any risk of being seen
ourselves, we could command a view of the shore and those passing along
it. There was but little time for deliberation or choice, and hastily
summoning Browne from his post, where he was still on the watch, we
scaled the almost perpendicular face of the height, with an ease and
celerity which would have been impossible under circumstances of less
excitement.

In the spot which Morton had designated, tall grass and flaunting weeds
fringed the edge of the bluff, and we threw ourselves down among them,
and awaited, with almost suspended breath, the approach of the persons I
had seen.

We were scarcely settled in our hiding-place, when a half-naked figure,
swinging a short club in one hand, rushed into view. Another, and
another followed, until I had counted seven of them. They were
well-made, athletic men, of a fine olive colour, with long straight hair
falling over their shoulders. The maro, which is a sort of fringed
belt, was their only clothing, and they carried spears and clubs of some
dark-grained wood.

Among them was one striking figure. It was that of an old man, of large
and powerful frame, and a marked and resolute countenance, the
expression of which reminded me of an old lion which I had seen in some
itinerant menagerie, years ago. His massive head was covered with a
tangled mass of iron-grey hair that streamed like a mane over his broad
shoulders. The club which he carried might have served Hercules
himself; it certainly would have severely tasked the strength of an
ordinary man to wield it. I observed that all of them seemed to breathe
quickly as though they had been running, or exerting themselves
violently in some way; and the old man, who came last looked backward
once or twice, as they came opposite us, in a way that caused me to
suppose that they were pursued. The one who had