CHAPTER IX.—THROUGH HIDDEN DANGERS.
Critical moments followed. Captain Sparhawk navigated the Sea Gypsy among the rocks with marvelous seamanship. Time and again a shout of dismay went up from the sailors as the yacht almost grazed some huge black rock or scraped a coral reef. But the passage was negotiated with safety, and finally the sea-battered yacht lay snug and safe in the lee of the island and all hands drew a long breath of relief.
“Let go the anchor,” came the command, and the cable roared out of the hawser holes with a savage shout, as if of joy, at the ship’s delivery.
“Where under the sun are we?” asked Mr. Jukes of Captain Sparhawk, as soon as these maneuvers had been completed.
“I have no more idea than you, sir,” was the reply. “But it looks to me as if this island must be one of the Pamatous.”
“One of the pearl islands?” asked the millionaire.
“The very same. But I cannot be sure. Islands are sown pretty thickly in this part of the Pacific.”
“Are the Pamatou people cannibals?” asked Jack.
“I don’t think so,” said the captain, “but before I send a boat ashore I am going to deal out arms to the landing party. We want to run no risks. I shall also put a guard on the ship, for these savages are great thieves and they might see a chance for some piratical tricks in our dilemma.”