Part 50 (1/2)

Did he hear? Did he know? If he did, Don felt certain that the scoundrel would go and report all to one of the officers, and so get it to the captain's ears

Still there was hope Heto hi that to nearly every sailor they encountered on the deck

Still he felt that it would be better not to be seen speaking to Jem, and he crossed to another part of the shi+p, and stood watching the leave-taking of the visitors, who descended into their canoe laden with presents and the objects they had obtained by barter

Toith a bottle of rum and a canister of powder in his hands, when Don heard the first lieutenant say to him jocularly,--

”I say, my fine fellow: I believe if the truth was known, you slipped off from Norfolk Island, and took up your residence here”

Thethe officer full in the face

”What island did you say, sir?” he said at last

”Norfolk Island Aht?”

”I'm a chief of this tribe, sir,” said the lishman now”

He went down into his canoe, and it darted away, propelled by fifty paddles, while the lieutenant turned away laughing, and went to the captain

”That man's an escaped convict, or I'

Don cast an eye round for Jeo where he would for the rest of that day, Don aloke to the fact that thishim

It seemed as if he would never have a chance to speak to Jem about what had passed; but at last Ramsden went below, and after a little inquiry Don learned that Je a couple les and reef points of a sail

Don ran up as fast as his skill would allow, and had hardly reached the top when Ra hiht now, to watch theabout searchingly, and undoubtedly for him

”Hullo, my lad!” said Jem cheerily; ”co the progress of thelook from time to time, sufficient to stimulate his curiosity, and make him on the _qui vive_ Then to avoid suspicion, he hurried down, and had hardly reached the deck again before Raain been below, ca hiet under the lee of this bulwark,” said Don, when at last he found an opportunity for speaking to Jeet in a roe are seen,” said Jem

”But it's too dark for us to be seen,” whispered Don; and this see to be the case, they went into the shadow cast by one of the quarter boats, and lay down

”What is it, Mas' Don?” said Jem in a whisper, as soon as they had satisfied themselves that they were alone

Don related what had passed; but Jem did not seem to take to it

”No,” he said; ”he is not likely to come, and if he did, they'd hear his canoe, and nail him What time did he say?”

”Time? There was no time named”