Part 16 (1/2)

”Frankly, Andy, I don't trust him. If he plays a straight game, well and good; but, should he act treacherously--and I have every reason to believe he will, judging by his past career--we must keep a trump card up bur sleeves. That's why I wanted to make sure of the respective speeds of the two craft, for you may be certain that, since the chief is in her, yonder canoe is the largest and swiftest they possess.

Under power we can easily outstrip her, I have no doubt.”

No sooner had the motor started than Terence and Ellerton appeared.

”Hullo! Where's the wind?” asked the latter.

”And where's the canoe? added Donaghue.

”Hull down,” replied Andy. ”They've gone on ahead to give us a house-warming. Now, you fellows, get yourselves something to eat, and then give us a spell. I'll let you have the course. Keep your weather eye lifting, and look out for a breeze. It may come down suddenly.”

”You bet I will,” a.s.sented Ellerton. ”How far are we from Ni Atong?”

”About twenty miles. Directly the island hoves in sight call us.”

At about four in the afternoon Terence, who had climbed the main-mast and had taken up a perch upon the diminutive cross-trees, reported land ahead.

Mr. McKay and Andy were instantly warned, and, a breeze springing up, the motor was shut off.

Half an hour later the heads of a patch of palm trees were visible from the deck.

”That's Ni Atong, right enough,” commented Mr. McKay, as bit by bit the land appeared to rise above the horizon. ”Blight told me that the entrance to the lagoon is easily picked out.”

Ni Atong resolved itself into a low, regularly outlined island barely two miles in length. Its surface was covered with dense scrub and a few cocoanut palms, the soil being apparently loose and sandy. So far as could be seen, a coral reef extended round the island at a distance of half a mile from the sh.o.r.e, the rocks in places protruding above water to a height of nearly three feet.

”There's another island showing up on our port bow, sir,” announced Ellerton.

”Then that's Ahii. It's a lofty island something like ours, judging by the appearance of that mountain. However, we'll hear and see more of it later on. Now, Andy, we are approaching the reef. Do you climb aloft and con the boat in through the channel.”

This is the only practical method of entering an unbeaconed lagoon, for owing to the sudden increase in depth, a lead line is of little use.

On the other hand, the extreme clearness of the water makes it possible for a man aloft to detect instantly any rocks or shoals that lurk beneath the surface.

For the s.p.a.ce of five minutes it was an anxious time. On either hand the breakers thrashed themselves in ma.s.ses of milk-white foam upon the glistening coral reef, while ahead a narrow patch of undulating, yet unbroken water showed the presence of the only available channel into the shelter of the lagoon.

”Starboard--bear away--starboard again--port, steady!”

Under the light breeze the yawl was in danger of dropping to leeward upon the merciless rocks. One moment her stern was lifted high in the air, the rudder consequently being useless. The next she threw her streaming bows above the following wave, then, shaving the edge of the reef by a bare five yards, the little vessel glided into the quiet waters of the anchorage.

The crew now had time to look about them. Drawn up on the sandy beach were seven large canoes, similar to that which had paid an unwelcome visit to McKay's Island, while others, only slightly smaller in size, were hauled up beneath the shelter of the bushes, their lofty carved prows alone being visible.

The beach was lined with natives, numbering at least 180 men, besides a host of women and children.

The men were of medium stature, muscular, and well built. In colour they resembled that of Quexo, being considerably lighter than the natives of New Guinea. Many of them bore scars, possibly self-inflicted or the result of inter-tribal wars.

”Stand by to let go!” shouted Andy to Terence and Ellerton. Then, as the yawl shot up into the wind, he followed up with: ”Let go!”

With a roar and rattle of chain the anchor plunged to the bottom of the lagoon, and as the crew prepared to lower and stow the sails, Mr. McKay waved his arm towards the crowded sh.o.r.e.

”Well, lads,” he exclaimed, ”what do you think of our allies?”