by a struggling and fitful moonlight. After that
Malines went back with his party to the ship, and Dominick returned with
Otto to court slumber in the golden cave.

CHAPTER SIX.

SHIPWRECKED EMIGRANTS AND HORRIFIED CONSPIRATORS.

The scene which presented itself on the morning after the storm is not
easily described, and the change to the trio who had up to that time
lived so peacefully on Refuge Islands' Reef was so great that they found
it difficult at first to believe it was other than a dream.

On awaking, indeed, Otto saluted his brother with the exclamation--

"O Dom, I've had such a comical dream!"

"Indeed, my boy," said Dominick, "I fear it was no dream, but a
reality."

At this Otto suddenly sprang up, and ran out to relieve his mind on the
point. A few seconds sufficed. On clearing the bushes he beheld the
new wreck lying not far from the old one, and saw from the crowds of
people who were being put into the boats that the emigrant ship had been
no mere creature of his imagination. It was evident that the boat which
had just quitted the vessel's side contained the first band of
emigrants, for the only people yet landed were a few men, who busied
themselves in putting up a rude shelter for the women and children, and
in kindling fires for the preparation of breakfast on a little mound
between two and three hundred yards from the golden cave.

By that time the storm had blown itself out, and the rising sun was
mounting into a cloudless blue sky, and covering the sea with dazzling
ripples, which looked as if the very water were laughing with joy at the
sudden change from darkness and fury to light and peace.

Conspicuous among those who worked on shore was the gigantic form of Joe
Binney. Considering him an old acquaintance. Otto ran up to him and
shook hands.

"How many emigrants are there of you?" he asked.

"Three hundred, more or less, master, but I ain't rightly sure; there's
such a many that it's difficult to count 'em when they are all a-movin'
to and fro."

"Here, Joe, catch hold o' this post, an' keep it steady till I make it
fast," said Hugh Morris, the seaman who has been described as one of the
most turbulent among the men.

While Joe assisted in the erection of the canvas booth or shelter, he
gave Otto a good deal of information regarding the vessel, the
emigrants, the crew, and the misunderstandings which had occurred
previous to the captain's death.

"It's well for one