ard, the rest of the island
appeared to be densely wooded.

"That will do!" exclaimed Williams, as he closed his telescope, after a
long and searching examination of the place; "the spot is quite large
enough to enable a couple of men to pick up a living upon it, and I see
no sign of savages anywhere about. Lower away the quarter-boat and
bundle those things down into her. Have you looked out all you think
they will need, Ned?"

"Yes," said Ned, who was most anxious that his collection should not be
subjected to too close a scrutiny--"yes, I think they may perhaps manage
to rub along and make themselves fairly comfortable in time with what I
have put out for them. And, if I may be allowed to offer a suggestion,
I would advise that the landing should be effected as speedily as
possible, for when I was in the saloon just now I noticed that the glass
showed a slight tendency to fall, a warning which ought not to be
neglected in these seas."

"Ay, ay, that's true enough!" ejaculated Williams, in some alarm. "Look
alive with the boat, there, you, Martin tumble the things in, and let's
get the job over as quick as possible."

"No, no," said Ned, "there is no need for _quite_ so much hurry as all
that, and I must beg that you will handle those cases carefully or their
contents will be spoilt or wasted and two human lives placed in
jeopardy, which _you_, Williams, I know, would be the last to wish. If
you have no objection I will superintend the loading of the boat myself,
and whilst that is going forward I hope you will allow Captain Blyth and
Mr Manners to step into the saloon and say good-bye to Miss Stanhope.
It can cause no possible harm, and I am sure the young lady would like
it."

"Very well," said Williams, after a moment's consideration; "I have no
objection. Rogers, let the prisoners' irons be knocked off, and then
send them into the saloon until the boat is ready to take them ashore."

Sibylla was at that moment on the poop affecting to inspect the island
through her own private binocular, but in reality--having overheard
Williams' announcement of his intention to land the two officers there--
watching for an opportunity to say good-bye to the hapless men. Ned,
whose intuition was peculiarly quick and sensitive where this young lady
was concerned, had divined her wishes in an instant, hence the
suggestion he had thrown out; and the moment Sibylla heard that her
desire was to be granted she hastened dow