Their route differed considerably from that taken by the mate; for a while it seemed as though the party were pursuing a circuitous road, but on being assured that all was correct the mate ceased his advice, and in the end he was conducted straight back to camp in much less time than could have been deemed possible.
'Well, well, Sennit,' the old man sang out, 'you've been making hay while the sun shone, and no mistake.'
'Hay, sir!' the mate cried, 'it's good pumpkin, yams, and sweet spuds, this time. There is any amount of fruit as well, but I didn't like to be too greedy first time of asking.'
'Where did you find the women?'
'Quite by accident. All their men-folk have been carried off by some ruffianly "black-birders."'
The women feared only the Chinamen; and when returning home each was given a couple of biscuits.
On the following day several women returned with quantities of excellent vegetables and fruit, for which they eagerly accepted ship bread; and as the meat supply in camp was running short Captain Thorne signified his needs of more.
The women immediately offered to become guides for a shooting party, and under their directions Mr. Sennit and five hands set off on the trail.
The accurate knowledge of the animals' habits possessed by the natives proved highly advantageous, and the expedition was also fruitful of results.
On reaching a certain spot about four miles from the camp, all the white men were advised to remain in hiding, and keep a good lookout. Then the women disappeared.