"Two boatloads!" she repeated. "What reason could they possibly have for coming at last to this island? They couldn't have known we were here--at least not the first who came." "No," said Grenville, slowly, reflecting that the time for his revelation was, perhaps, a trifle overdue, "they came, I believe, to secure the treasure in the cave." Elaine glanced up at him quickly. "The treasure you have joked about before?" "It was not altogether a joke. The treasure is there--or, at least, it was, before I removed it to the passage." "Not something actually valuable? What sort of things do you mean?" "Gold and precious stones--a lot of heavy plunder--enough of the jewels alone to fill a hat." Elaine slightly gasped. "And they came for that? And you have taken it out--have hidden it, rather--and you think, perhaps, they have missed it?" "No, I hardly believe they have been to the cave as yet. It isn't theirs, the beggars! Not that it's of any account to us, but I don't feel sure if I gave it up they'd depart and leave us in peace. At any rate, I don't propose they shall have it." Elaine was silent for a moment, and filled with wonder. "How did you manage to find it?" "Entirely by accident. I pulled down a stone that concealed a secret chamber, where someone had walled it in. It has doubtless been there for many generations--as these fellows have probably known." "And suppose they find the chamber looted--may they not be all the more savage and eager to tear us to pieces?" "Well--I should say their ambition in that respect has already about reached its limit." Elaine could still feel her heart pounding heavily in her bosom. She returned to her original query. "If we go on like this for a week, what then? Is there anything in the world to prevent them from waiting and waiting and waiting, till----" She did not finish her sentence, but the slightest shudder shook her frame. "They were goaded to action to-night," said Grenville, hopefully. "They may feel sufficiently aggrieved to return for more. If not--they must be invited." "But surely you'll not attempt such a venture as this again?" Grenville rubbed at his jaw. "I wish it might be duplicated! No such luck is likely. But I feel very certain we'd both rather cash in fighting than to starve like rats in a trap." "Yes," Elaine faltered, in her quiet way of courage, "but--if it has to come--let's try to--receive it here together." CHAPTER XXXIV DYAK DARTS AND METHODS Long-distance fighting began an hour after sunrise in the morning. It was rather a long-distance attack, since Grenville, armed only with the cannon, was powerless to retaliate, except at great expense of ammunition, and with questionable results.