"It is new to you, of course. I am not partial to coral reefs. I see the
danger in them--not the beauty. If you were dashed on to one in a gale
you would have a different opinion of them."
"I suppose they are dangerous," replied Jack.
"Yes, and treacherous. They tear the bottom out of a boat before you
know where you are."
They passed safely through the narrow opening, and there burst upon them
a strange sight. They were in a small bay, and round it were large trees
sweeping down almost to the edge of the water. There was no sign of
life, and yet the place seemed so home-like they could hardly believe it
to be desolate.
"I have been up this coast a few times," said Hake Moss, "and never
struck this place before. Have you, Phil?"
"Never," answered Danks, "and it's worth exploring. I vote we land over
yonder and see what sort of a country it is."
He pointed across the bay to where the white beach shimmered in the
blazing sunlight, and the trees drooped in graceful folds over it.
"There may be natives here," said Moss. "We must be cautious; they are
treacherous beggars, especially when they have not seen much of white
men."
They had their guns with them, and Phil, pointing to them, said, "We can
easily frighten them off with a few shots."
"We must all keep together, at any rate," replied Moss. "The danger
arises when there is any separation. I'll never forget in one of the
South Sea Islands when I strolled away into the bush by myself. I had
not been half an hour alone before I was surrounded by yelling savages.
I made a bolt for it, but it was more by good luck than anything else I
got back to the boat with nothing worse than a couple of spear wounds."
"This is different to the South Seas," said Phil; "but as you say, it is
well to be cautious, for there is no telling what may happen. This
cannot be Rank's Bay; there's no pearl shell in here."
"I wonder if we shall find the place," said Jack.
"We will find it if it is to be found," answered Phil, as the boat
grated on the sand, and he sprang out, gun in hand. The others followed,
and leaving a man in charge with instructions to keep a sharp look out,
they walked up the sloping bank under the trees.
"There's a path here," said Moss, "and that's a sure sign natives hang
about the place."
Jack Redland was looking across the bay, thinking what a glorious sight
it was, when the sand on the opposite side seemed to be alive with a
moving mass of living creatures. He gave an exclamation of surprise, and
the others turned round to ascertain the cause.
"Look!" said Jack, pointing across. "What are those black masses moving
about on the beach?"
"By jove, they are turtles!" exclaimed Moss. "We must get hold of some
of them before we go back to the schooner. They are splendid eating and
no doubt we shall find any amount of eggs."
Jack had tried turtle soup, and seen an occasional one in a London shop,
but here was a swarm that fairly astonished him.
"Shall we follow the path or try for the turtle?" asked Moss.
"Turtle, by all means," laughed Jack.
"I'm rather curious about that path," was the reply.
"Hang the path! I agree with Mr. Redland. Let us go for the turtle,"
said Phil, as he walked towards the boat.
They followed him, and were sauntering leisurely down when a strange
whirring, hissing sound was heard, and a shower of spears fell all round
them. This was followed by loud cries, and savage yells, and a crashing
in the bush behind them.
"Run for it!" yelled Moss, and they raced down the beach for the boat.