An hour of inactivity ensued. Then suddenly a faint rustling among the scrub along the pig-track ahead was speedily followed by the appearance of many small and grunting animals in rapid movement, In fact, the entire track seemed to become filled with them, and the sportsmen grew excited.
As the pigs dashed forward rifles snapped out their missiles, and every shot went home.
Six fat porkers fell to the guns, and three more were killed by revolver fire. The beaters soon appeared, and as their share of the day's sport three pigs were handed over, while with the remaining spoils slung over their weapons the men returned home. A great feast was enjoyed by all hands that evening, and the Chinamen seemed perfectly contented with the new life, and by no means anxious to reach San Francisco.
However, during the next forenoon three frightened-looking and extremely agitated women hastened into camp, and by rapid signs informed the captain that the vessel had returned to the island in search of more male natives.
'Arm yourselves, all hands,' he promptly sang out. 'We shall endeavour to protect these poor people. If I can only put my hands on the scoundrels, they'll not soon forget it.'
He then told the women that they need fear nothing, and that as long as he remained on the spot they should have his assistance.
The party soon reached the opposite side of the island, and in a sheltered little bay found the vessel, a schooner of fifty tons, at anchor. None of her crew had as yet landed. The old man hastily laid a trap for their arrest, and then awaited events.
It was not long before a boat full of cowardly foreigners came on shore, and with revolvers concealed in their clothing began to separate, in quest of some new spot likely to prove successful for their purpose. By the directions of Captain Thorne some of the women now began to show themselves, and the landing party immediately followed them.
The moment the ruffians had got well in-shore the skipper and his men surrounded them. A few shots proved so effectual that within half an hour the entire gang were made prisoners and disarmed. The schooner was also taken, and, to the intense astonishment and delight of the women, she was found to be almost filled with their sons, husbands, or brothers, captured only a few weeks previously.
All the unhappy men were promptly put on shore, and the schooner made sail for Camp Bay, where the 'Alert' had been wrecked; and before sundown she anchored there. The prisoners were landed, and thus another day of adventure on the island closed.