ey sprang to their feet, and Noddy's calculations were set at
nought by the discovery that several were armed with guns.

One of them stepped on shore. There was a broad grin on his ugly face,
which was intended for a conciliatory smile. The savage walked towards
Noddy with his hand extended, and with his mouth stretched open from ear
to ear, to denote the friendly nature of his mission. The boy took the
hand, and tried to look as amiable as the visitor; but as his mouth was
not half so large, he probably met with only a partial success.

"Americals?" said the savage, in tones so loud that poor Mollie was
actually frightened by the sound.

He spoke in a nasal voice, as a man does who has a cold in the head; but
the lord of the isle was surprised and pleased to hear even a single
word of his mother tongue. He pointed impressively to the American flag,
which had been hoisted on a pole, as he had seen Captain McClintock do
when he had a slight difficulty with a custom-house officer at
Barbadoes, and politely replied that he and Mollie were Americans.

"Big heap thigs," added the savage, pointing to the tent filled with
stores and merchandise.

"They are mine," said Noddy.

"Americals--yes."

"What do you want?"

"Big wreck," said the visitor, pointing over to the schooner. "Big lot
mel ol the other islal."

"Americans?" asked Noddy, clearly understanding the speaker, whose
enunciation was principally defective in the substitution of l's for
n's.

"Four Americals; big storm; come in boat."

"Do you hear that, Mollie?" exclaimed Noddy. "He says that four
Americans came to the other island in a boat."

"They must be some of the crew of the Roebuck."

"Big wreck; log time; fild it low," said the savage, pointing to the
schooner again.

They had been looking for the wreck from which the four men had been
saved, but had not been able to find it before.

"Whale ship over there," added he. "Take four mel off."

"Is she there now?" asked Noddy, breathless with interest.

"Go sool--to-morrow--lext week."

This was not very definite; but the way to his native land seemed to be
open to him, and he listened with deep emotion to the welcome
intelligence.

"Can we go over there?" asked Noddy, pointing to his companion.

"Go with we."

"We will."

"Big heap thigs," added the savage, pointing to the storehouse again.
"Walt to trade?"

"Yes; what will you give for the lot?" asked Noddy, facetiously.

"Big he