THE PLUME PIRATES 343 



midnight, Shan was suddenly awakened by the 

 sound of a ship's propeller. 



Astonished beyond measure, for he knew well 

 that no vessels came near those treacherous reefs 

 and that the revenue cutter was not expected for 

 another month, Shan tumbled out of his dog tent 

 and peered toward the sea. 



There was no moon, but in the clear starlight 

 and the faint white light of the foam breaking on 

 the reefs, the boy saw clearly the outlines of a 

 small steamer, looking like a cross between a yacht 

 and a fishing smack, but which, even to Shan's un- 

 trained eye, did not look like an American vessel. 



''Now, what in thunder," said Shan, as he 

 looked out across the sea, ''is that craft doing here 

 at night?" 



He was soon to know. A boat set off from the 

 shore and started towards the beach. 



As the boat came nearer, Shan saw a figure rise 

 and peer at something on the island. Crouching 

 where he was, the boy knew that he could not be 

 seen, but turning his head, he saw, white in the dim 

 light, the outlines of his tent. This it was that 

 the newcomers had seen. 



An order, given in a high-pitched whining 

 voice, was followed by the cessation of rowing. 



