k of one's head at the same time. Of course we
shall always have a watch set whatever we are doing, still I have more
faith in your look-out than in that of half a dozen fo'castle hands."

When the two Allens and Wilfrid came on deck Mr. Atherton drew them
aside. "Look here, lads," he began. "You heard what I said last night. I
meant it, and I am sure I was not wrong, for there have been canoes
hovering about us all night. Now, in a short time the officers and crew
will be seeing about getting water on board, and if the natives bring
out a spar that will do as a jury mainmast there will be the work of
trimming it, getting it into its place, and rigging it. My own opinion
is, that now the natives see we are suspicious and on the watch they
will for some time make a show of being extremely friendly so as to
throw us off our guard, and as the officers and sailors will be busy
they may possibly relax their precautions a little. Now I propose that
you and I shall constitute an amateur watch from sunrise to dark. After
that the men's work will be done, and there will be no fear of their
being taken by surprise. The real danger is, I think, in the daytime.
Wilfrid and I will take the second-mate's watch, and do you two take the
first-mate's--that is, if you agree to my proposal."

The three young fellows at once expressed their willingness to do as he
directed them.

"During our respective watches," Mr. Atherton went on, "we must keep our
attention directed solely to the natives. There must be no watching what
is going on on board, no talking and laughing with the other passengers;
we must consider ourselves as if on duty. One of us must take his place
on the fo'castle, the other in the waist. The natives are sure to hang
round the ship in their canoes watching what we are doing, and offering
things for sale. It will be our duty to keep a vigilant eye upon them,
to watch every movement, to give instant warning if their number is at
any time larger than usual, and, in fact, to prevent the possibility of
their closing suddenly in upon us and taking us by surprise. Remember,
it is a case of absolute duty; I have volunteered to the first officer
to undertake it, and he will, relying upon our vigilance, give his
attention to his work."

"Shall we be armed, Mr. Atherton?" James Allen asked.

"Yes, James, I think that it will be as well to have our guns beside us
while on duty. Of course there is no occasion to have them on our