As he dropped lightly into the sternsheets beside the cockswain he
signed the men to thrust off. The boat shot out across the still
water, and headed shorewards on a slant for the south corner of the
headland. Urged on by their impatient passenger, the rowers bent to
their oars with a will, despite the broiling heat of the sun in the
dead calm air under the lee of the cliffs.

They were well in to the shore before the cockswain discovered a
submerged ledge that ran out athwart their course almost to the coral
reefs. This compelled them to put about and follow the ledge until
they could round its outer end. As the boat at last cleared the
obstruction and headed in again for the shore, the south flank of the
cliffs came into view.

A short distance inland, the two castaways that had appeared on the
cliff top were running towards the beach, the girl clinging to the
hand of the man.

"Give way! give way, men!" urged Lord James. "At least let's not keep
them waiting!"




CHAPTER II

TWO--AND ONE


Spurred to their utmost, the oarsmen drove the boat shorewards so