Part 15 (1/2)

”Where are you going to land, Jim,” asked Berwick, who had taken the tiller ”It won't do to venture very close to the Sea Eagle”

”The first point where we can find a landing place on the north shore

They will hardly see us at this distance”

”Just over here is a good place,” suggested To a break in the rocky cliff where the land sloped down to the water

It was only a short pull to the shore, and ten minutes later the boat was run up on a sandy beach, and the coe rock, the party, under the lead of Jim, set out for the other end of the harbor

It was slow led underbrush, and nearly two hours were consuht them to a point, where, thele and the lugger was obtainable

Everyone on board the two boats was busily engaged in the task of transferring froer's hold nu stored aboard the Sea Eagle

Berwick clutched Jiasped, ”on the afterdeck! What did I tell you?”

”Manuel,” muttered Jirumbled Berwick

”Nonsense,” responded Ji the usual tone of assurance in his voice He looked at his brothers and Juarez No one spoke All see of inexpressible nervous concern Was it a foreboding of soer?

Very silently now the party pushed on, and a little later they were able to get a good view of the stretch of land occupying the space between the water's edge and the foot hills, which were a full e eucalyptus trees of considerable growth clustered a short distance froroup attracted Ji this one, he announced:

”That is where thewill be held”

The others looked at him in astonishment To them the trees all looked alike

”How do you know?” they chorused

”See the birds flying about?” There were flying through the air a number of birds Occasionally some of them lit for an interval, but never upon the tree Jim had pointed out

”But what of that?” asked Tom

”There is some one in that tree,” explained Jiht on the other trees, but never upon that one”

Observing for a continuous period the actions of the birds their maneuvers seemed to confirm Jim's theory

”This then,” determined Jim, ”is our place of observation when it co of the ransoet quickly into action and upon the scene if there is need”

”We have the place of a to find out, if we can, is, when the villains are to co to attempt to hunt out the senor, and try to secure, if possible, an intervieith him”

Jim had noticed that a faintly marked trail led inland from the shore, and a short way up the nearest hill was seen a low bungaloith out-buildings which Ji place of the Senor