Part 49 (2/2)

”Oh no, you're not, and I dessay it'll be a tight fit; but you do it”

”And suppose I do get out of them, what about you?”

”About ht away, slide down the rope, get the gig up alongside--”

”When it's swinging froru stu-blocks all over the place for a ainst”

”Then propose so aithout you”

”But I can't get et yours”

”I don't know that,” said Don, trying; and, to his great surprise, finding that he could drag the ring over his ankle without ain 'fore the sentry sees”

The marine was not likely to see, for the place was very dark where they sat, and for a long time they discussed the ed to come to the conclusion that it was io alone

”Well, if you won't go alone, you won't, Mas' Don,” said Jem, in an ill-used tone; ”but I do say as it's shabby of you, after I've thought about it so ht of their i their brains next day, when they were summoned on deck, received a severe reprimand, and, after their irons had been taken off, were told to go to their duty

Then a week passed of land surveying and chartwhich time the intercourse with the natives had been kept on a very friendly footing; and then a rumour ran round the shi+p that they were to sail after a certain channel had been sounded and the chart loo away all over the world, and be took by the French, and never see holooh till toward afternoon, when a canoe came off from the shore, manned by about fifty of the New Zealanders, and with Toati in the stern

These tere soon on board, and were entertained by the captain, who ed it Don hardly knew hilish and watching Ngati, as going through his war-dance for their delectation, and distorting his features to the greatest extent,--

”Could you coht in your canoe, and take us ashore?”

”Hist! Mind what you're saying,” replied the e his companion to fresh exertions and distortions of his countenance

”I want to come,” said Don softly, in the midst of the applause

”I daren't do it, ati He'll come in his little canoe”

Don's heart beat wildly at these words, and he had no chance to say more, for Tomati went toward the officers, talked with theo to the big chief, clap hireat fellow smile

The New Zealanders seemed to show more interest in the appointments of the shi+p than they had displayed before, and the officers were civil enough to thereenstone ornae for powder and tobacco

Don's heart had ceased to beat, and he was thinking despondently that he ive up all idea of evasion, when a hand was laid upon his shoulder, and looking up, it was to encounter the hideous face of the big chief, who said, with a peculiar laugh,--

”My pakeha Bring gunpowder plenty Wait by big shi+p Dark”

It was not a very clear promise, but Don realised that it meant a chance of escape, and his eyes flashed with excite, bring My pakeha”

He went off directly to where so about the deck, and hardly realising whether the chief was to be depended on, Don was about to go in search of Jem, when he felt a chill of despair, for, as he turned, he encountered the sinister countenance of Ramsden, his eye fixed upon hi about his lips