“What’s the matter?” exclaimed Oliver.
“Look! look!” was the reply.
Oliver already saw. A great war canoe was being paddled down the lagoon from the north, another was approaching from the south, and from out of the haze made by the booming breakers, a third came on toward the opening through which the mate had arranged to pass to the sea.
The two young men stood paralysed for a few moments, before Oliver raised his gun to give a signal of alarm.
But he lowered it into the hollow of his arm, as he felt that it was unnecessary, for the mate must see.
“Look,” cried Drew. “He’s coming back to take his luck with us,” as they saw that the canoes were being paddled rapidly to lay their crews on board. For the sail hoisted had filled, and the second was being raised while the mate at the helm was steering the lugger as if to bring her close to where the young men stood.
“That’s right, come ashore, we’ll cover you,” roared Oliver, and then he uttered a groan, for the lugger curved round when close to them, and then rushed through the water toward the opening in the reef.
Oliver’s heart sank.
“Discretion’s the better part of valour,” he muttered, “he’s going to leave us all in the lurch.”