m say they intended to steal his island. Peth
or Jarrow got my gun, but Jarrow thinks we've three more between
us. I told him last night you had two. He wants to get us
separated."

"Good Lord!" exclaimed Locke, aghast. "You can't mean they want to
put us out of the way!"

"I wish I knew what they wanted to do," said Trask, speaking
rapidly, and keeping his eyes on the boat which was making good
headway toward the shore. "But I believe we're in serious danger,
and I don't see now what's to be done."

"Jarrow is a fool," said Locke.

"More of a rogue. He's far more clever than we realize. I'm sure
now he signalled to Peth last night with the lantern, when I was
out here trying to see what the crew were about with the dinghy."

"Then you knew it last night?"

"Yes. I found Jarrow out here on the forecastle head. First he lit
a cigar, which I suspect was a caution, then he shook the lantern,
probably to indicate that their absence was discovered, and then he
put the lantern out. He said it was so they couldn't find their way
back in the dark, but now I'm sure it indicated that not only was
the party known to be gone, but that their motives were suspected.
What's more, I'm sure he's had Doc Bird spying on us--at least on
me. Just as sure as I move that black is at my heels, as full of
questions as a rose is of thorns. We want to be mighty careful with
the cook, too."

"We're sure in a pickle," said Locke. "If there were any wind I'd
be for getting out now and leaving Jarrow and all hands."

"My idea, too. But you'll notice he has the schooner well in behind
the barrier reef, and unless we had a ripping good breeze, we'd
pile up, or one of the boats would overtake us before we'd have the
jib set. Of course, if we got out, it would be easy enough to make
for the mainland, or with good weather keep down the coast until we
reached some town or came up with some vessel. But as it stands,
we've got to play the game out with Jarrow."

"What the dickens he expects to do, or make out of this sort of
performing is beyond me," said Locke.

"Probably find a lot of gold and send us back to Manila in the hope
of cheating Dinshaw out of it. I expect they'll be disappointed if
it's gold in any great quantity they're after."

"But why should he and Peth be plotting together when they're at
outs?" asked Locke.

"It may be that Jarrow favours Peth's scheme, and now wants to get
in with him. I don't doubt they could make up th