inspect the spot which I
had selected as the scene of the proposed ambuscade; and accordingly,
ordering the second cutter to be manned, we pushed off, taking Mr
Hoskins with us, and towing the dinghy, which was to be left on the
other side for the convenience of Cupid, upon that individual's return.

When we at length reached the place the skipper was so pleased with it
that he at once determined to set a strong party to work upon it, partly
to keep the hands employed--there being by this time very little to do
at the factory--and partly that the necessary preparations might be
completed at the earliest possible moment. Accordingly he gave Hoskins,
who was to have charge of the working-party, the most elaborate
instructions as to how to proceed and what to do. The work was put in
hand that same day; and when Hoskins and his party returned to quarters
that night the former reported that the whole of the work absolutely
necessary to insure the success of the ambuscade had been done, and that
only about another hour's work, on the following day, was required to
complete the whole of what the skipper had ordered.

The next day, accordingly, the party crossed to the mainland to complete
the preparation of the ambuscade, returning, in good time for dinner,
with the report that all was now done, and that the spot was ready for
occupation at a moment's notice. As it happened, it was just as well
that we had acted with such promptitude and expedition, for the men were
still engaged upon their mid-day meal when Cupid was seen returning in
the dinghy. The fellow had evidently travelled fast and far, for he was
smothered in dust, and so done up that he could scarcely drag one leg
after another--there is nothing that puts one out of walking condition
more quickly than being pent up for long periods on board a ship.

But, despite his fatigue, he was puffed up with pride and importance,
for he had accomplished the mission upon which he had been despatched,
and in a very satisfactory manner, too. His report was to the effect
that he had travelled at a good pace all through the preceding day, and
that at nightfall, while still plodding forward, keeping his eyes wide
open, meanwhile, on the look-out for a suitable camping spot, he had
suddenly detected in the air a smell of burning wood and dry leaves,
and, proceeding cautiously a little further, had become aware of a low,
confused murmuring, as that of the voices of many people,