"Where's Cap'n Ole?" Jack asked anxiously. "Seems to me we ought to be making tracks toward defending ourselves."
"Here he comes."
As he spoke the captain, followed by Mr. Lakewood and the entire crew except the engineer, came around the corner of the cabin and the boys saw that every man was carrying a rifle in his hands and that in each man's belt was a business-like appearing automatic.
"You boys got your guns?" he asked.
"Two apiece," Bob assured him.
"Mr. Kelley, you take the wheel and when I give the word signal for all speed astern. Mac's got a good head of steam on. Now, boys," he continued, "I want to get away from here without killing any of those natives, if we can, but, of course, we've got to protect ourselves, and, remember, they're armed with the most deadly weapon in the world."
"Do yees mane them blow guns?' Pat asked.
"That's just what I mean, and one prick from their darts and it's all off."