tore the child from her arms and tossed it into the
sea. A low groan burst from Jack's lips as he witnessed this atrocious
act and heard the mother's shriek as she fell insensible on the sand.
The rippling waves rolled the child on the beach, as if they refused to
be a party in such a foul murder, and we could observe that the little
one still lived.

The young girl was now brought forward, and the chief addressed her; but
although we heard his voice and even the words distinctly, of course we
could not understand what he said. The girl made no answer to his
fierce questions, and we saw by the way in which he pointed to the fire
that he threatened her life.

"Peterkin," said Jack in a hoarse whisper, "have you got your knife?"

"Yes," replied Peterkin, whose face was pale as death.

"That will do. Listen to me, and do my bidding quick.--Here is the
small knife, Ralph. Fly, both of you, through the bush, cut the cords
that bind the prisoners, and set them free! There! quick, ere it be too
late!" Jack sprang up and seized a heavy but short bludgeon, while his
strong frame trembled with emotion, and large drops rolled down his
forehead.

At this moment the man who had butchered the savage a few minutes before
advanced towards the girl with his heavy club. Jack uttered a yell that
rang like a death-shriek among the rocks. With one bound he leaped over
a precipice full fifteen feet high, and before the savages had recovered
from their surprise, was in the midst of them, while Peterkin and I
dashed through the bushes towards the prisoners. With one blow of his
staff Jack felled the man with the club; then turning round with a look
of fury he rushed upon the big chief with the yellow hair. Had the blow
which Jack aimed at his head taken effect, the huge savage would have
needed no second stroke; but he was agile as a cat, and avoided it by
springing to one side, while at the same time he swung his ponderous
club at the head of his foe. It was now Jack's turn to leap aside; and
well was it for him that the first outburst of his blind fury was over,
else he had become an easy prey to his gigantic antagonist. But Jack
was cool now. He darted his blows rapidly and well, and the superiority
of his light weapon was strikingly proved in this combat; for while he
could easily evade the blows of the chief's heavy club, the chief could
not so easily evade those of his light one. Nevertheless, so quick was
he, and so f