e Greek's greedy eyes lit up and his white teeth set. "Ah, ah, ah!"
he said pantingly.

"Well, we will have our celebration to-morrow night, Mr. Barry," said
Rawlings genially.

"Yes, we will wind up everything by a good time to-morrow night,"
answered the mate with unusual warmth, as after some further talk he
walked down to the boat and went off on board with them.

Just before supper he strolled along the main deck. Barradas was in
the waist leaning over the bulwarks, smoking and watching the movements
of some large fish in the phosphorescent water. He raised his head as
the mate came near, and looked at him inquiringly.

"Not to-night," said Barry in a low voice, as he passed; "but is
everything ready?"

The second mate nodded.

"Let the men go ashore if they wish."

"We could do it now--easily," muttered Barradas, as the mate again
passed him.

"No," said Barry quickly; "to-morrow night will be best. I have
something on shore which must be attended to. But I'll be back early
in the afternoon."

As soon as supper was over Barry turned in, telling the steward to call
him at daylight. Rawlings and the others sat up late, but their talk
did not disturb him, for he was really tired, and meant to get a good
night's rest to fit him for the work he had in hand on the following
day and night.

[1] Synonymous for husband.

CHAPTER XII.

BARRY AND VELO DISCOURSE ON MARRIAGE.

At daylight Barry came on deck, and after a cup of coffee and a biscuit
he and Velo, each carrying a rifle, set out in the dinghy with two
hands in her, towards one of the islands on the north side of the
lagoon. Here, in full view of those on board the brig, they drew the
boat up on the beach, leaving the two native sailors in charge, and
then struck off into the palm grove, walking steadily on till they
reached the centre of the island.

"Let us wait here, Velo," said the officer; "this is the place where a
messenger from Mrs. Tracey is to meet us."

Laying their rifles down they sat under the shade of a great jack-fruit
tree, whose wide-spreading branches towered even higher than the lofty
coco-palms which surrounded it. For nearly an hour they waited,
listening to the ceaseless hum of the surf upon the outer reef as the
long, swelling billows rose, curled their green cress, and broke upon
the rocky barrier of living coral. Overhead the blue vault of
sky--where it could be seen--was unflecked by a single cloud,