ed with him that, if
he observed anything of the kind, he was to fly his handkerchief from
the branch of an isolated tree which grew on a small projecting platform
near the summit, and which was quite visible both from the cutter and
the ravine, but was hidden by the mountain-top itself from the pirates;
and I decided that, if the signal were displayed, I would convey Ella to
the spot he had spoken of on the previous evening as capable of being so
easily defended, and would then return to the cutter, try the effect of
a shell or two upon the boat if she appeared within the cove, and
afterwards, if need be, retire to the place of Ella's concealment, and
make a stand there.

In furtherance of this arrangement I got Bob to show me the spot, which
I found, on personal inspection, to be fully as impregnable as he had
declared it to be; and I also ascertained, as he had done, that it was
quite impossible to get round the mountain by land.

We then separated, Bob making the best of his way up the mountain-side,
and I returning to the shore, loading myself, as I went, with the finest
and choicest fruit I could find.

I was met, about half-way up the ravine, by Ella, and we both strolled
quietly back to the beach together, my fair companion following my
example, and loading herself with fruit.

When we reached the beach, I set about striking the tents, and got the
sails, spars, and lighter articles back on board the cutter, as there
was now no knowing at what moment it might be necessary for us to be
off; and this task, in my then weak condition, occupied me the greater
part of the day--getting them on board, that is, and putting the spars
in their places, rigging them, and bending the sails.

By the time that I had finished, everything was back into its old berth,
with the exception of about a couple of canoe-loads of heavy articles,
which might be run on board in twenty minutes or half an hour, and then
we should be ready to start at a moment's notice.

I even contrived to take our tube-boat to pieces and stow her away
below, though the tubes gave me some trouble in getting them inboard;
but I managed this at last by parbuckling them up over the side with the
aid of the throat-halliards.

Of course I kept a strict watch on the tree near the summit all this
time; but no signal fluttered from it, so I assumed that they were all
too busy on board the brig to make explorations, relying on their
numbers for safety in case o