[The leader of the dancers was just approaching when there was a roar, and the whirring propeller set up a hurricane which caught at his dress]

[Grinson let out a bellow like the blast of a fog-horn, and sprang from the trees, followed by a horde of natives]

[Grinson gave the boulder a shove in the desired direction]

[With a thunderous crash it struck the side of the vessel a few feet below the rail]

[Quickly they set their ladders against the barricade, and began to swarm up]

CHAPTER I

A BEACH IN NEW GUINEA

''Tis a matter of twenty-five years since I was in a fix like this 'ere,' said the boatswain, ruminatively, turning a quid in his cheek. 'Ephraim, me lad, you can bear me out?'

'I can't rightly say as I can, Mr. Grinson,' said Ephraim, in his husky voice, 'but I 'll try.'

The boatswain threw a leg over the stern-post of the much-battered ship's boat that lay listed over just beyond the breakers of a rough sea, and cast a glance at the two young men who stood, with hands in pockets, gazing up at the cliffs. Their backs were towards him; they had either not heard, or were disinclined to notice what he had said.