ble to take it with a clear
conscience, too."

"No, Redfox, enough of your machinations. I have resolved to turn over
a new leaf, and to do good hereafter, that is, if there is any good
left in me. We must fix up these people the best that we can with the
wreckage of the ship, build a fort for them yonder on that little
brook, and give them arms and provisions, then we will cast lots as to
who is to go in the open boat to the nearest Australian port."

The Captain went on then with preparations for crossing to the island
for drinking water and edible fruits. Unfortunately the powder and
firearms were all under water, so that the men had to make the
dangerous landing armed only with clubs and knives. The Captain led
the party, taking with him four sailors, a dozen or more Chinamen, and
small Peppo to act as interpreter. Willy would have gone gladly, but
his uncle would not hear to his risking his life unnecessarily.

"I'll pray for you, uncle," said the boy, "that it won't go with you
as--as--"

"As certain people had planned it for you and others," the uncle
finished the sentence of the faltering child. "Yes, pray that the old
saying that 'He who digs a grave for another, himself falls therein,'
may not be fulfilled." Turning to Redfox, he asked: "Don't you want to
go with me?"

The latter muttered something under his breath and slipped away. The
Captain gave the signal and soon they were on the opposite shore. A
group of natives came down to greet them, seemingly in friendly
fashion, offered them fruit, and helped to roll the casks up on the
beach; then all of a sudden with unearthly shrieks they fell upon them
with their clubs. With difficulty the Captain and two sailors managed
to get into the boat and across the inlet, to where their companions,
pale with fear, stood shuddering to think of the awful fate of their
comrades.

"Poor, poor Peppo," wailed Willy, "can't we help him? Will he be eaten
up by the cannibals?"

Immediately there appeared on the shore whole troops of cannibals, and
more poured out of the woods. Swinging their clubs and giving
frightful war cries they challenged the intruders to do battle with
them.

"Quickly, boatswain," said the Captain, "order the Chinaman to make a
raft from the beams of the boat, and to arm themselves as best they
can. We must force a landing and get some drinking water or we are
lost. It we only had half a dozen guns and some ammunition.--Just
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