that we must soon come in sight of the Dart, when Matt Gory suddenly pulled my arm.
"The Chinese junk!" he ejaculated. "She is heading in shore!"
"By Jove, Matt is right!" answered Dan. "What can this mean?"
"It means that they have spotted the Dart and are coming ashore to investigate," I replied. "I suppose they think they have discovered a rich haul."
"In that case we must get to the wreck first!" said Dan. "Come, let us leg it!"
And run we did, at the best speed at our command, and forgetting all about the possible proximity of the Tagals. Soon the Dart came into view, lying exactly as she had before, but now totally deserted excepting for a single figure that stood on the deck, armed with a gun and two pistols.
"Watt Brown!" I yelled, and Dan and Matt Gory also cried out.
At the sounds of our voices the second mate turned swiftly and fell back in amazement.
"Well! well!" he ejaculated, when he could speak. "I thought you fellows were all dead. Come on board and help me hold the fort."
"Hold the fort?" I asked. "Against whom?"
"Yonder Chinamen, Raymond. I've been
