found to weigh nearly half a pound,
just missed Tollemache, who was the first to take note of the sharp
warning given by Suarez, but failed, nevertheless, to dodge quickly
enough.

The captain raised a double-barreled fowling-piece, the only gun on
board, and fired point blank at the savages. But the women were
paddling away vigorously, and the shot splashed in the water on all
sides of the canoe, though a howl and a series of violent contortions
showed that one, at least, of the pellets had stung the wizened Indian
whom Suarez believed to be a newcomer.

There was no second shot--cartridges were too precious to be wasted at
an impossible range--but the undeniable fact remained that the Indians
meant to be aggressive. For a little time no one spoke. They heard
the echoes of the gunshot faintly thrown back by the nearest wall of
rock; the regular plash of the paddles as the canoe sped shorewards was
distinctly audible. They watched the tiny craft until it vanished
round the wooded point which concealed Otter Creek. Then, to add to
the sense of loneliness and peace conveyed by the placid bay and the
green slopes beyond, a big whale rolled into view in the middle
distance, and blew a column of water high in air.

The muffled clang of a hammer broke the silence which had fallen on the
watchers from the ship. Walker had slipped back to his beloved
engines. Had he not vowed that the massive pistons should again thrust
forth their willing arms on or about New Year's day? He had forgotten
the cannibals and their threats ere he was at the foot of the
engine-room ladder. Courtenay and Tollemache joined him; Christobal
went to the saloon to visit his patients; Elsie was left with Mr.
Boyle, who forthwith fell into a doze, being worn out by the fresh air
and the excitement.

Joey, having followed Courtenay to the one doorway in the ship which he
could not enter, trotted back to find Elsie. She greeted him with
enthusiasm.

"Hail, friend," she said. "You, at least, are not jealous if I speak
to your master, wherein you show your exceeding wisdom. Now, since you
and I are persons of leisure, tell me, Joey, what we shall do to make
ourselves useful?"

The dog was accustomed to being spoken to. He awaited developments.

"It seems to me, Joey," she continued, "that Gulielmo Frascuelo is the
one person on board who claims our attention. There is a mystery to be
solved. Bound up in it are my poor Isobel, that beas