sked
Adair. The negoda, recovering himself, with the coolest effrontery made
the action of shaking hands, then pointed astern, as if to signify that
those whom Adair was asking after had parted good friends and gone off
in the canoe.

"A very likely tale," said Adair sadly; "let's try what Pango and his
brother can make out of the old black chief." On this Green told them
to hear what the old man had to say. They evidently spoke the same
language. At last Pango, turning round to Adair, tried hard to give the
information he had obtained. What with the numerous signs, and the few
words of English uttered by the black, Adair understood that the old
chief grieved for what had happened, but that he himself had nothing to
do with it; that the Arabs had set upon the Englishmen, two of whom were
below, had blindfolded them and thrown them overboard.

Adair and Green both interrogated their black friends, and each time
came to the same sad conclusion. There could be no doubt that the two
lads, Jerry Bird, and the other men had been foully murdered. Adair
felt very much inclined to hang all the fellows at once, but of course
this could not be thought of; they must first be tried, and there could
be no doubt that they would be convicted. What satisfaction would it be
to hang the scoundrels? Putting them to death would not probably
prevent others from committing similar deeds, nor would it bring those
who were lost to life.

It was necessary, however, to land the slaves at once, for the sake of
preserving their health; for even during the last few hours several of
the grown-up people had died, and nearly a dozen of the children; and
others, it was clear, would not survive unless carried on shore, and
supplied with better food and fresh water. Superintending this work
occupied Adair, and prevented him from mourning over the loss of his
young nephew and Archie. The party on shore had been occupied for some
time in putting up huts for housing any slaves who might be brought to
the island. These were soon filled with the women and children and the
sick men. The others not so greatly requiring immediate shelter were
set to work to put up some huts for themselves, an operation most of
them seemed to understand very well.

In the meantime, the Arab crew were kept on board, under charge of an
officer and a party of seamen. Towards evening the boat was seen
returning, and Adair had some faint hopes that she might have obta