ing
a swaying ladder, were lowered in a chair slung from the yard. Then his
eye lazily followed as the kroo boys thrust their long paddles into the
sea, and shot the big craft from the vessel's side. A second took its
place at the gangway, and another load of passengers, all in gleaming
white clothes as before, descended or were slung into the boat, and were
rowed away. After that he could see the baggage being lowered down till
other boats, which had now gone alongside, were well filled.

"There's Brown, who went home six months ago, just before I came out,"
said Dick, suddenly, as the first boat drew near the outer margin of the
surf. "I remember he brought a message to me from father. How well
he's looking. When I saw him last he was a skeleton."

He rose to his feet and strolled down to the edge of the sandy beach,
where he waited to greet his friend. There were one or two others whom
he recognised, and they waved to him. But for a little while passengers
and friends ashore were completely divided, for a wide belt of raging
surf stretched between them. On the outer fringe of this the surf-boat
lay to, the kroo boys standing along the sides with the tips of their
paddles just dipping in the water. They made no movement save every now
and again when a big swelling breaker caused them to roll, and
threatened to carry the boat into the surf. Then there was a word from
the headman, the paddles dipped deeply, and the boat swung back from the
surf.

"It wants doing to-day," said an officer, who had now taken his place
beside Dick. "There's no wind to speak of, but there's quite a heavy
surf. I always like watching those kroo boatmen. Clever beggars,
Stapleton, and full of pluck when engaged in a job of this sort. Ah,
they are off."

A shout came over the water, and at once all the paddles were plunged
deep into the sea. The boat, helped by a breaker, sprang forward into
the surf, and then being caught up by an enormous rolling billow, she
shot forward on its crest, being lifted many feet into the air, till, in
fact, those aboard her seemed to be far above those on the beach. But
in a moment she dropped down again, and for a few seconds was out of
sight.

"Looks as though the following wave would cover her," said the officer,
as he watched keenly for another sight of the boat. "Those beggars are
paddling as if for their lives."

At that instant the surf-boat had again come to view, and as the office