far out upon the rolling bosom of the strait. For some

time the girl watched the object until at length it

resolved itself into a boat moving head on toward the

island. Later she saw that it was long and low,

propelled by a single sail and many oars, and that it

carried quite a company.

Thinking it but a native trading boat, so many of which

ply the southern seas, Virginia viewed its approach

with but idle curiosity. When it had come to within

half a mile of the anchorage of the Ithaca, and was

about to enter the mouth of the harbor Sing Lee's eyes

chanced to fall upon it. On the instant the old

Chinaman was electrified into sudden and astounding

action.

"Klick! Klick!" he cried, running toward Virginia.

"Go b'low, klick."

"Why should I go below, Sing?" queried the girl, amazed

by the demeanor of the cook.

"Klick! Klick!" he urged grasping her by the arm--half

leading, half dragging her toward the companion-way.

"Plilates! Mlalay plilates--Dyak plilates."

"Pirates!" gasped Virginia. "Oh Sing, what can we do?"

"You go b'low. Mebbyso Sing flighten 'em. Shoot

cannon. Bling help. Maxon come klick. Bling men.

Chase'm 'way," explained the Chinaman. "But plilates

see 'em pletty white girl," he shrugged his shoulders

and shook his head dubiously, "then old Sing no can

flighten 'em 'way."

The girl shuddered, and crouching close behind Sing

hurried below. A moment later she heard the boom of

the old brass six pounder which for many years had

graced the Ithaca's stern. In the bow Professor Maxon

had mounted a modern machine gun, but this was quite

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>