"We think there's a large band of natives on shore," Bob told him.
"There's some sure's I'm a sea dog," the captain agreed after he had listened a moment. "Pat, get all hands up as quick as you can and tell MacDonald to get up steam just as quick as he can. We may want to pull out in a hurry."
"You think they may attack us, sir?" Bob asked as Pat started off on the run.
"Not much doubt of it, I'm thinking."
"And it's what I'm thinking too," agreed Mr. Lakewood, who had joined them unnoticed in the darkness.
"If they got boats they must have come from the other side," Captain Ole said.
The question as to the natives having boats was settled a moment later when Jack's quick ears caught the sound of a slight splash in the water, and, a moment later they saw a long narrow craft, filled with men, emerge from the gloom only a few feet off the port bow.
"Anyone got a gun?" the captain whispered.
No one had and, when he learned that they were all unarmed, he whispered:
"Stand back from the rail. If they see us they'll send up a shower of their poisoned darts, and everyone grab a belaying pin. They'll come up on the anchor chain."