eed the
mouth of a small river, and took about half-an-hour to ascend it,
although the spot where we intended to land was not more than six
hundred yards from the mouth, because there was a slight current against
us, and the mangroves which narrowed the creek impeded the rowers in
some places. Having reached the spot, which was so darkened by
overhanging trees that we could see with difficulty, a small
kedge-anchor attached to a thin line was let softly down over the stern.

"Now, lads," whispered the captain as he walked along the line of men,
who were all armed to the teeth, "don't be in a hurry, aim low, and
don't waste your first shots."

He then pointed to the boat, into which the men crowded in silence.
There was no room to row; but oars were not needed, as a slight push
against the side of the schooner sent the boat gliding to the shore.

"There's no need of leaving two in the boat," whispered the mate as the
men stepped out; "we shall want all our hands. Let Ralph stay."

The captain assented, and ordered me to stand in readiness with the
boat-hook, to shove ashore at a moment's notice if they should return,
or to shove off if any of the savages should happen to approach. He
then threw his carbine into the hollow of his arm, and glided through
the bushes, followed by his men. With a throbbing heart I awaited the
result of our plan. I knew the exact locality where the musket was
placed, for Bill had described it to me, and I kept my straining eyes
fixed upon the spot. But no sound came, and I began to fear that either
they had gone in another direction or that Bill had not fixed the string
properly. Suddenly I heard a faint click, and observed one or two
bright sparks among the bushes. My heart immediately sank within me,
for I knew at once that the trigger had indeed been pulled, but that the
priming had not caught. The plan, therefore, had utterly failed. A
feeling of dread now began to creep over me as I stood in the boat, in
that dark, silent spot, awaiting the issue of this murderous expedition.
I shuddered as I glanced at the water that glided past like a dark
reptile. I looked back at the schooner; but her hull was just barely
visible, while her tapering masts were lost among the trees which
overshadowed her. Her lower sails were set, but so thick was the gloom
that they were quite invisible.

Suddenly I heard a shot. In a moment a thousand voices raised a yell in
the village; again the c