y fire. What
do you say?"

They all agreed that it seemed practicable.

"Very good then," said the skipper, "we'll have lunch, and afterwards
begin our preparations." Then turning to me, "I'll get you to come into
my cabin, Mr. Hatteras, by-and-by and take a look at the Admiralty
chart, if you will. You will be able probably to tell me if you think it
can be relied on."

"I'll do so with pleasure," I answered, and then we went below.

Directly our meal was over I accompanied the skipper to look at the
chart, and upon it we marked our anchorage. Then an adjournment was made
aft, and our equipment of rifles and revolvers thoroughly overhauled. We
had decided earlier that our landing party should consist of eight
men--Wetherell, Beckenham, the mate of the yacht, myself, and four of
the crew, each of whom would be supplied with a Winchester repeating
rifle, a revolver, and a dozen cartridges. Not a shot was to be fired,
however, unless absolutely necessary, and the greatest care was to be
taken in order to approach the hut, if possible, without disturbing its
inmates.

When the arms had been distributed and carefully examined, the sixteen
foot surf-boat was uncovered and preparations made for hoisting her
overboard. By the time this was done it was late in the afternoon, and
almost soon enough for us to be thinking about overcoming the distance
which separated us from our destination.

About dusk I was standing aft, leaning against the taff-rail, when
Beckenham came up and stood beside me. It was wonderful what a
difference these few months had made in him; he was now as brown as a
berry, and as fine-looking a young fellow as any man could wish to see.

"We shall be picking up the island directly," I said as he came to an
anchor alongside me. "Do you think you ought to go to-night? Remember
you will run the risk of being shot!"

"I have thought of that," he said. "I believe it's my duty to do my best
to help you and Mr. Wetherell."

"But what would your father say if he knew?"

"He would say that I only did what was right. I have just been writing
to him, telling him everything. If anything _should_ happen to me you
will find the letter on the chest of drawers in your cabin. I know you
will send it on to him. But if we both come out of it safely and rescue
Miss Wetherell I'm going to ask a favour."

"Granted before I know what it is!"

"It isn't a very big one. I want you to let me be your best man at your
w