The Third Officer

r some moments, then, turning abruptly, walked down to the Malfilio's boat. Henriques accompanied him; but Strogoff, who had been told off to remai

ly he s

he luggage o

ty and hurriedly-collected kit. Two or three of the officers had brought small handb

ant, addressing Branscombe, and without waiting for that worth

it, while Strogoff watched the proceedings. Since there was little of value, nothin

n a cleft, it was a narrow, steeply ascending defile, and the only means of gaining the interior of the island from the harbour. Enclosed by bare walls of rock, never more than twelve feet apart, the path ascended by a series of zigzags, until at a distance of a furlong fro

onet-sockets of the long-destroyed bulbs were still in position, while her

illuminated the tunnel, through which a strong in-dra

d his attention was a metal portcullis. It was already drawn up, and only a foot or so of the lower portion projected below the roof of the tunnel. Since no winding mechanism

six butterfly-nuts. It was obviously a valve, the seating of which was by no means water-tight, for two or three fine sprays were spurting diagonally across the tunnel, and forming miniature rainbows in the glare of the torches. As it was an inacce

the still-smoking wood in a niche in the wall of the tunnel. Passing under another portcullis, and turning sharp t

nd began picking out a few at haphazard. Those he chose were subjected to a minute search, but luckily there was nothing found on them in the

were six of the pirates. Consequently Burgoyne was close to the girl, only the purser being betwe

ain to think of a hurried plan whereby he might be able to

ed the prisoners, had just emerged from the tunnel, and his imperious harsh voice was shouting fo

search the prisoners, but once more Burgoyne realized that there were limits even to the vagaries of fate, a

ngagement resulting in the capture of the Donibristle, they hadn't much to complain about. In fact it was rather amusing and exciting, t

t for nearly half a mile rose gradually. Well on their left was a grove of coco-palms, otherwise the island seemed devoid of growing timber. Ahead lay a rounded hill, towe

rapid beat of a pneumatic riveting-tool, clearly indicated the purpose to which these buildings were put. And Burgoyne

ure on which cattle and sheep browsed. There were men working in the fields, scantily-clad, bronzed and bearded fellows, who

l Branscombe. "So it looks as if we shall be on the same lay bef

help noticing that. 'Bearded like

Branscombe drily. "The blighters have collared our shaving-tackle.

ht. Burgoyne made no rep

aid 'we'll all be growing beards'. What about

having amateur theatricals. The false be

Branscombe. "There's time yet, although I'm not

eady showing four days' g

rors," he continued. "Wonder what

s for the razors, perhaps they've seen a nigger run amok with one. I did onc

, pointing to a fence, he changed the subject by ex

cliffs. The fourth or landward side was enclosed by a lofty metal fence, made of pointed steel bars painted with the familiar "dazzle" affected by ships and fortifications during the Great War. In the fence was a large gate, on either side of which was a blockhouse on a slight arti

e evidently meant to be kept under strict surveillance, since the pirates had taken the precaution of counting them in spite of the fact that the

ng on a motor-cycle of American manufacture and recent make. He had unbuckled his sword and lashed it to the frame, and the

Four men will be cookers—I mean, cooks. Twelve used to engines will go to the smiths-shop. The rest to the fields. The officers responsible will b

y in the direction

cers and men with us,

waved his han

ve so much to eat that four men take all their time to get it ready? If you want to know more as

recumbent motor-cycle; then, followed by the guards, he strode to

t to find a place to sling our hammocks and get ourselves sorted out.

, but presently in one corner of the compound Burgoyne

es, you might come with me and inte

less, three-sided canvas screen. Voices raised in heated argument could be heard above the crackli

d a deep voice. "You aren't in a land of

ke this afore, sir," repl

"Seeing we only get one sheep a week 'tween the lot of us, it'll have to

ep-voiced man wheeled abruptly and saw Burgoyne and

r's torn and dirty drill uniform. "Glad to meet you, present circumstances notwithsta

him and introd

you a drink 'cept water. I'm on the sick list or you wouldn't have fou

n hour and three-quarters, I expect. So I'm in a bit of a hurry.

w m

told

pick, so to speak. The Alvarado's people took the next best in the matter of site. We don't mix much, 'cause they're Ya

ype="