the spot; then, with
a shrill call, he summoned his men about him. Eiulo's outcry, and the
answer which had been made to it, seemed to have produced a startling
effect upon Atollo and his party. For the moment we appeared to be
entirely forgotten.

"This must be Wakatta," said Arthur eagerly, "it can be no other. There
is hope yet." With a rapid sign for us to follow, he glided down the
nearest trunk, and, darting past Atollo's party, he succeeded in the
midst of the confusion, in reaching the old man and his band, who stood
upon the shore of the islet. Morton and I were equally successful.
Max, who came last, was observed, and an effort made to intercept him.
But dodging one savage, and bursting from the grasp of another, who
seized him by the arm as he was running at full speed, he also joined
us, and we ranged ourselves beside Wakatta and his men. Browne, Eiulo,
and Johnny, were prisoners.

It now seemed as though the conflict was about to be renewed upon more
equal terms. Our new and unexpected allies numbered seven, including
their venerable leader. On the other hand, our adversaries were but
twelve, and of these, several showed evident traces of the severe usage
they had recently received, and were hardly in a condition for a fresh
struggle.

There was a pause of some minutes, during which the two parties stood
confronting each other, with hostile, but hesitating looks. Wakatta
then addressed a few words to Atollo, in the course of which he several
times repeated Eiulo's name, pointing towards him at the same time, and
appearing to demand that he should be released.

The reply was an unhesitating and decided refusal, as I easily gathered
from the look and manner that accompanied it.

Wakatta instantly swung up his club, uttering a deep guttural
exclamation, which seemed to be the signal for attack, for his people
raised their weapons and advanced as if about to rush upon the others.
We had in the meantime provided ourselves with clubs, a number of which
were scattered about upon the ground, and we prepared to assist the
party with whom we had become so strangely associated.

But at a word and gesture from Atollo, Wakatta lowered his weapon again,
and the men on both sides paused in their hostile demonstrations, while
their leaders once more engaged in conference.

Atollo now seemed to make some proposition to Wakatta, which was eagerly
accepted by the latter. Each then spoke briefly to his follo