“But he has the big guns, and the men are well-trained,” said the doctor, as they hurried down to the boats.
“What is the use of them, sir, when a crowd of reckless savages are swarming over the sides? He is lying at anchor too, and the yacht is made helpless.”
The men were soon in their places, pulling a long, steady stroke, and thinking nothing of the hot sunshine.
“It is of no use to try and hide ourselves,” said the mate, “for it is a race between us who shall get there first.”
“But they can’t know the yacht is there,” said Sir John.
“Perhaps not, sir; but they will soon sight us, and then run for the opening in the reef, if they were not already going there.”
“Well, there’s one advantage on our side,” said the doctor; “they can’t attack us till they get through the reef, so we’re safe till then.”
“Yes, sir,” said the mate bitterly; “but I was thinking of the captain, and his anxiety, alone there.”
“Yes, of course,” said Sir John; and he looked at the mate when he could do so unobserved; and it seemed to Jack that he thought more highly of Mr Bartlett than ever.
They had been rowing abreast, with the waters of the lagoon perfectly smooth; but as they began to round one of the huge buttresses of lava which had run down into the lake, they saw that the water all beyond was disturbed by a breeze.