did Otto reply. He had acquired that first of requisites in
a soldier or servant--the habit of prompt obedience. Somewhat like a
North American savage, he sank into the grass and wriggled from the
scene. A few moments later Dominick rose, and walked down towards the
conspirators with the easy off-hand manner of a man who saunters forth
to enjoy the night air. So busy were they getting the tackle into the
boat that he was not observed until quite close to them.

"You seem busy to-night, friends," he said, in his usual pleasant tones,
as he took his stand close beside Hugh Morris, who was near the bow of
the boat.

"Mr Rigonda!" exclaimed Malines in great surprise, coming forward at
the moment.

"Why are you surprised? It is not unusual for me to take a row on a
fine night."

This reply seeming to imply that Dominick had come to the reef alone--
perhaps in the dinghy--emboldened the men; some of them laughed.

"Well, I confess to being a little surprised, sir," replied the mate,
"for it so happened that we were preparing something in the nature of a
surprise for you and the rest of the settlers."

"Yes, I see," returned Dominick, in the same pleasant tone. "You've
managed to get the ship off the ledge in a very creditable manner, and
you mean to take her into the lagoon and cast anchor off the
settlement?"

Again the men laughed lightly.

"No, sir, we don't," broke in Hugh Morris at this point, "we intend to
take her in quite the opposite direction, and clear off to sea with
her."

"Oh no, you don't, Hugh," returned Dominick, with an agreeable smile,
which was a little perplexing as well as exasperating. "You are going
into the lagoon; you know you are, and I have come to help you."

"But I say we are _not_!" retorted Morris, in rising wrath, "and what's
more, you'll have to go along with us, now that you've had the ill-luck
to fall in with us."

"Quite right, Hugh; didn't I _say_ that I came off on purpose to go
along with you?"

As he spoke there was heard a rushing sound of feet and a number of dark
forms were seen approaching from the bushes.

"Betrayed!" shouted Malines. "Jump in, lads, and shove off!"

He sprang forward, but was instantly arrested by the muzzle of a
revolver within a foot of his head.

"It's of no use, boys," said Dominick, laying his hand on the bow of the
boat. "You'll have to enter it as dead men if you do so without my
permission."

Had the men been armed it might