atiently.

"There's only one course open to us, sir--and that is to fight."

"I mean what will you do about those men who are ashore?"

"Oh, they're settling that themselves, sir," said the captain, with a
chuckle of satisfaction. "They've broke away like so many naughty boys
who think they can manage for themselves, and as soon as they start
they've got frightened and are running home for safety."

"But you'll take them on board, won't you?" said Brace.

"Certainly I shall, and make 'em fight too, sir," said the captain.

"Yes," said the American, "and they'll have to do their level best.
Shall I cover them, skipper, and let the niggers have a sprinkling of
buckshot to show them we are ready?"

"Yes," said the captain; "and you two gentlemen had better help. That's
the first thing--to get them aboard safe."

Pieces were cocked, and their holders sat in the boats watching the
flight and pursuit, Brace's heart beating violently. He glanced up and
down at the novel sight of canoes where all heretofore had been so
deserted, and saw at once that there was nothing to fear in their
direction for the next half-hour, while in another minute or two he
could plainly see that a serious engagement would have commenced with
the natives on shore, and the sensation this caused was both novel and
strange to him.

"The idiots!" he said, in a low voice; "why couldn't they keep to their
duties instead of breaking away like this?"

"Because they're just ordinary men," said Briscoe, who was by his side.
"They're going to pay pretty dear for their game, though."

"Don't you think that they will be able to get here safely?"

"That's just what I am afraid about. The niggers are better runners
than they are, and more at home on the ground, and they could catch up
to them at once, only they like to tackle their enemies at a distance.
Look!"

"Yes, I see," said Brace, whose breath came and went as if he had been
running hard, and his eyes dilated when he saw that, as the men tore off
through the various obstacles of rock, bush, and tree, the Indians
suddenly began to slacken their pace and prepare their bows.

"Ah, we must put a stop to that, gentlemen," cried the captain. "Give
them something to put an end to those games."

A low murmur of acquiescence arose, and guns were levelled, but no shot
rang out.

"Can't fire yet, skipper," growled Briscoe. "I could pick off a man or
two with a rifle easily, but I'm not loaded wi