1 62 TROPIC DAYS 



conduct the strangers to the best places on the under- 

 standing that they, being ahen and hostile, should 

 remain under the protection of the rifle-carrying white 

 men. 



The captain, two men, and the black boy, followed 

 Blue Shirt ashore; but, although he was conspicuously 

 clad, could not find him or any other man. A few old 

 and casual women represented the hospitable inhabi- 

 tants, while Sabbath quietude brooded over the scene 

 as they strolled along the yellow beach. By chance 

 one of the party glanced towards the spot where they 

 had landed, and saw half a dozen vigorous gins endeav- 

 ouring to haul the boat above tideway. 



How excellent the strategy ! 



The designing but faint-hearted women fled when the 

 white men charged for the boat, which now was seen 

 to be endowed with an incredible, uncanny rocking 

 movement of its own. Looking beneath, they saw a 

 huge cripple straining himself, Atlas-like, to heave it 

 over. In spite of inferior legs, his brawny shoulders had 

 almost accomplished the feat when he was unceremoni- 

 ously interrupted. While he sprawled away, a mob of 

 blacks rushed suddenly from the cover of some rocks, 

 the leader of the assailants being Blue Shirt, who had 

 painted his unclad parts martial red and white. The 

 strength of the party was guessed at thirty. An exact 

 census was not taken, for with spears and nulla-nullas 

 and big swords, each warrior having the protection of a 

 shield, the treacherous band swept on the deluded 

 guests of their leader, whose hostile yells scandalised 

 the meek phrases and friendly signs of a short hour 

 before. 



The captain, poor, outwitted man, had laid his rifle 

 beside the boat. It was too late now to bring it into 

 decisive action. Keeping close together, the defenders 



