THE PLUME PIRATES 339 



weeks there. No expedition had visited Lysian- 

 ski with photographic apparatus, and Shan's pic- 

 tures, therefore, in addition to their value as bird 

 records, would also be of geographic importance. 

 Lysianski was about seventy miles from Laysan 

 and therefore out of sight of the larger island. 



Accordingly, it was arranged that after the 

 Feather Man had put the lad ashore there in the 

 motor boat, he would make the trip to Lysianski, 

 once a week, to see that everything went well. On 

 seeing the boat, Shan was to light a small fire, and 

 dampen it, so that it would send up a column of 

 smoke. By alternately covering and uncovering 

 the fire, smoke could be allowed to ascend in puffs- 

 If the smoke ascended in series of three puffs to- 

 gether, that would mean that Shan was in good 

 health and all was going well. If the smoke arose 

 in a steady spiral it would signify that Shan was 

 in need of something, and the Feather Man would 

 come to him. 



The landing at Lysianski was difficult, though 

 nothing like Bird Rock, which the boy had vainly 

 tried to climb, but Shan managed it safely and 

 found himself on the little islet, with provisions, 

 matches for the fire, and his photographic ap- 

 paratus. He waved a cheery farewell to the 



