she believed that her lover and many of his men were hidden. If
a squad of Indians mounted guard there, the reappearance of Suarez in
his war paint, backed by the alarm of a night attack from the sea,
might mystify the enemy sufficiently to permit of a landing, while the
frequent reports of the revolver would certainly lead to a counter
demonstration by Courtenay. Suarez was the only man on the _Kansas_
who could act as guide, and the penalty of his refusal would be instant
death. She had provided a strong, sharp knife to cut the thongs which
fastened the canoes to their anchor-stones. For the rest, she trusted
to the darkness. It was her fixed resolve to succeed or die.

Gray listened to the girl's cool statement with growing admiration.
The plan began to look feasible. It came within the bounds of reason.
The odds were against it, of course, but the law of probability is
seldom in favor of a forlorn hope. Suarez, too, making the best of a
situation which gave him no option, agreed that they had a fair chance
if once they got hold of the canoes. Nevertheless, he warned them that
he knew nothing of the surroundings of Guanaco Hill. He believed there
were no reefs on that side of the inlet, but he had never visited it.
Their greatest peril lay amid the almost impenetrable trees which grew
down to the water's edge. On his advice, Gray unshipped the mast and
threw it overboard. Then silence became imperative. If aught were
said, they must speak in the merest whisper.

The canoe darted forward again with stealthy haste. The night was
clear, though dark. The stars helped them to distinguish the outlines
of the shore now coming rapidly nearer. As they crept round the
southern cheek of Point _Kansas_, the Argentine ceased paddling, and
placed a warning hand on Gray's arm. The cliff was so high and steep
that its shadow plunged into deepest gloom the water at its base.
Suarez, however, had imbibed a good deal of savage lore during his
enforced residence on the island. He stretched well forward over the
bows, held a paddle as far in front as possible, and thus not only
guided the drifting canoe by an occasional dip of the blade, but
trusted to it for warning of any unseen rock.

There was a cold breeze on the surface of the bay, but the dog was the
only one who shivered, and his tremors arose from excitement. At last
they felt a slight bump. The Argentine had found the reef he was
searching for; by watching