comes Little Stubbs," cried Jim Heron. "What fortune, comrade?"

"Good fortune, though my load is the lightest yet brought in."

He flung down a small piece of wood with an air of satisfaction.

"Why, it's only a boat's rudder!" said Oliver.

"Ay, so it is, and the boat lies where I picked it up, but it was too
heavy to bring into camp without your assistance, boy. And the best of
it is that it's not much damaged. Very little repair will make her fit
for sea again."

This was indeed a find of immense importance, and the assembled party
discussed the event in all its bearings till their mouths were partially
stopped by pork and pancakes.

In the midst of this they were interrupted by the arrival of Big
Swinton, George Blazer, and Grummidge with another find, which
afterwards cost them much trouble and regret--namely, a couple of young
lads, natives, whom they led into camp with their wrists tightly bound
behind their backs.

CHAPTER FOUR.

STRANGE VISITORS--DARK PLOTS--AND EVIL PURPOSES.

The youths who had been captured were simple savages, with very little
clothing, and with an expression of considerable alarm on their faces.
As was afterwards learned, they had been coasting along the shore of the
large neighbouring island in a canoe; had observed the strange fires in
the night-time, and had crossed over the channel to see what could be
the cause thereof. On reaching the highest part of the island they
discovered some of the sailors, and turned to fly to their canoe, but
Blazer had observed them, their retreat was cut off, and they were
captured--not without a severe struggle, however, in which they were
very roughly handled.

Big Swinton, still smarting under the bruises and bites he had received
in the scuffle, dragged them forward, and demanded angrily what was to
be done to them.

"What have they done?" asked Trench.

"Done!--why, they have kicked and bitten like wildcats, and I doubt not
have come over here to see what they can steal. In my opinion a thief
deserves keel-hauling at the very least."

Master Trench's mouth expanded into a very broad smile as he looked
round the group of men. "D'ye hear that, lads, what _Master_ Swinton
thinks ought to be done to _thieves_?"

The men broke into a loud laugh, for even the most obtuse among them
could not fail to perceive the humour of the skipper's look and
question.

"You have nothing more to do wi' the matter, Trench, than any one else
h