vern, Don cautiously peered from behind a mass of stone into the
hollow, to see that some one or something was approaching rapidly, as if
with the intention of scaling the rock, and climbing to where they lay.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

AMONG FRIENDS AGAIN.

"It's all over with us, Mas' Don," whispered Jem, as soon as they were
some little distance in the retreat. "That blackguard Ramsden's sure,
after all, that we're in here, and that Tom Hoppers has come to his
senses, and felt it was me as hissed at him, and they're coming to hunt
us out."

"Let's hope not, Jem."

"Yah! What's the good o' hoping."

_Churr-urrt_ shrieked the cockatoo from far below.

"There now," said Jem. "Hark at that! He's telling 'em we're in here,
and coming on before to show 'em the way."

"What nonsense, Jem!"

_Churr-ur_! Shrieked the cockatoo, ever so much nearer.

"Well, do you call that nonsense?" whispered Jem.

"The bird's being cheered on; some one coming."

_Churr_--_churr_--_churr-ur-ur_! Shrieked the cockatoo nearer, nearer,
and then right in front of the cave, as it flew by.

"All right, Mas' Don; I arn't going to hargue. You think your way, and
I'll think mine; but if that wasn't saying in New Zealandee as those two
misfortunate chaps is hiding in this here hole, I never lived in Bristol
city, and I don't know sugar from tobacker."

"Hist!" whispered Don.

_Hiss-s-s-s_ came from far in the depths of the cave.

_Gurgle-urgle-gugg-pap_! Went something of a liquid kind.

"Here, I can't stand this here, Mas' Don," whispered Jem; "let's make a
rush of it; and get right away in the woods."

"Hush! There's some one coming," whispered Don, drawing his companion
farther back into the darkness.

"All right, Mas' Don! Take me in again where the bad air is; poison us
both. Good-bye, Sally, my gal. It's all over now; but I forgives you.
Shake hands, Mas' Don. I don't bear you no ill-will, nor nobody else.
Here they come."

There was a rustling and panting noise, and they were on the tip-toe of
expectation, when there was a heavy concussion, a deep-toned roar, and
then an echoing rumble as the sound reverberated among the mountains.
Then utter silence.

Jem gripped Don's arm with force, and stared at him wildly.

"Well!" whispered Don. "It was only a gun from the ship to recall the
boats."

Jem stooped down and gave his leg a slap.

"You are a clever one, Mas' Don, and no mistake. Why, o' course it is