Some ten minutes after Trentham's departure the rest were startled by a long-drawn howl, like the sound of hundreds of men hooting an unpopular speaker.
'Blue murder!' exclaimed Grinson, as he hurried with the others to the doorway. The noise came from beyond the stockade. The gate was shut, and the natives within the enclosure were strolling about with no appearance of concern. Trentham was not visible.
'I 'm afeard they 've took Mr. Trentham instead,' said Meek lugubriously.
'Nonsense!' cried Hoole. 'That wasn't a cry of delight. But I 'll just run across to the chief's house; Mr. Trentham is probably there.'
At the entrance of the house he was stopped by two natives, armed with spears, who stood there on guard.
'You there, Trentham?' he called into the interior.
'Yes; I 'll be with you shortly,' came the answer.
Reassured, Hoole returned to the hut.
'It's all right, Meek,' he said. 'Don't get the wind up.'
'No, Ephraim, me lad,' said Grinson, 'don't strain at your anchor. 'Tis your great fault.'