d, but he knew that it would not do to remind him. The
boat was therefore headed in towards a point on the lee side, where it
appeared likely that an easy landing-place could be found. The beach,
however, shelved so gradually that she could not approach within about
twenty yards of the dry sand; she therefore was brought up by a grapnel,
and Rhymer said that he would wade on shore, telling Ned to remain in
charge of the boat with part of the crew, while Charley and the rest
accompanied him. Neither Rhymer nor Charley had much experience as
sportsmen, and as their arms were only ship's muskets, Ned thought it
possible that they would not kill as many birds as Rhymer expected to
obtain. Taking off their shoes and trousers, Rhymer and his followers
jumped overboard and waded ashore. There were but few birds on that end
of the island, the chief colony being some way off. Ned heard several
shots fired, but the sportsmen were too far off by that time for him to
see whether any birds had been killed. In a short time the sounds of
firing again reached him, evidently at a still greater distance; he did
not forget his directions to keep a bright look-out, and he occasionally
swarmed to the masthead that he might obtain a more extensive view. He
had gone up for the fourth time, when he caught sight of a white sail
coming up from the southward with the wind off the land; she was a dhow,
of that there was no doubt, and might be a full slaver. She would
possibly pass close to the island, abreast of which, as she was sailing
rapidly, she would very quickly arrive. There was no time to be lost.
He glanced his eye over the land, but could nowhere discover the
shooting party; he was afraid of firing, for fear of alarming the crew
of the dhow. As the only means of getting back Rhymer, he sent one of
the men to try and find him and urge him to return. On came the dhow;
every moment was precious; she had not yet discovered the boat. The
man, wading on shore, ran off along the sand; the dhow was almost
abreast of the island; at length Ned, to his relief, saw his companions
approaching in the distance.

He got the sail ready, so that it might be hoisted the moment the party
were on board. He shouted and signed to them to make haste, pointing to
the dhow; at last Rhymer came, followed by Charley and the men, wading
through the water, puffing and blowing, terribly out of wind. The
result of the sport appeared to be only half-a-doz