In the growing darkness, which came on while Mont was alone, he could see the forms of the natives running backward and forward on the beach.
They were evidently planning an attack upon a large scale.
What could account for the captain's strange apathy?
After a time he forgot the natives in admiring the lovely night of the tropics.
The zodiacal stars appeared, and the moon shone brightly amidst innumerable constellations of the zenith.
He wished that the moon would light the Searcher to the coral bed, and that they would sink to the bottom, where they would be safe from their enemies.
Proceeding below again he sought his friends.
The door giving access to the interior of the boat remained open, and he observed a slave standing at the bottom of the staircase as if on watch.
Stump had his leg plastered up, and, though in pain, was much better.
Strange to say, all were pleased to return to the boat, and to escape a fearful death of lifelong slavery among the savages, who are known to travelers as the Papouans.