red the captain, who made no attempt to
show either papers or colours, so it was considered evident that he did
not possess them.

"There are whole hosts of people collecting on shore, sir," shouted
Archie; "many of them are armed, and by the signs they are making they
don't seem in a friendly mood. They've got, too, plenty of canoes, and
it looks very much as if they intended to come off and attack us."

Adair hurried on deck, and could not help being of Archie's opinion.
"Be sharp there with the sail," he cried.

"It's more than we can manage to bend it, sir," answered Jerry Bird;
"for there's not a bit of rope-yarn or stuff of any kind we can find to
do instead."

Adair and Desmond, stepping forward to lend a hand, found that the men
were right. The blacks on shore, increasing in numbers, were already
uttering most terrific shouts and cries, and had begun to launch their
canoes. It would be impossible to defend the dhow without running the
risk of losing the boat. Adair had no wish to bring on an encounter
with the savages.

"We must burn the craft and make the best of our way out of the river,"
he exclaimed. "Get the prisoners into the boat, and we will then set
the dhow on fire, and prevent her, at all events, from taking on board
another cargo of ebony."

While the men were carrying out his orders, the old Arab captain, who
had been left at liberty, came up to him, and made signs that there was
some object of great value in the hold which he was anxious to recover.
In his eagerness, as with half bent body he stretched out his hands, he
seized Adair by the beard, tears actually running down his eyes.

"Can he have his wife or children stowed away anywhere?" suggested
Desmond.

"It may be, but we must not let them be burned, at all events," said
Adair. "Well, old fellow, go and bring them up," he added, making a
significant gesture. The Arab, however, did not comprehend him, and at
length, pulling out a piece of gold, he made signs that he had a box or
bag full of such pieces stowed away.

"Faith, it's myself will go and help ye hunt for them," cried Desmond,
about to accompany the old Arab, who was hurrying below.

"Stay," exclaimed Adair; "there is not a moment to spare. See, the
canoes are coming off, and we shall be surrounded presently. I suspect
it is only a trick after all, that he may induce us to remain till the
tables are turned. Here, tumble the old fellow into the boat, and set
the