"I'd wait just a bit longer to let 'em get off sound, sir," said Ned softly; and seeing the wisdom of the advice, Jack waited with every nerve on the strain. But there was no sound to be heard, and he took it for granted that the blacks had dragged or carried them for some distance, right away from the track taken by the doctor. As he examined the place more attentively, it seemed as if this was a spot which had been used as a camp before, for the bushes and trees were disfigured by flame and smoke, and the stones and rock which rose up like a wall were utterly bare of grass, lichen, and creeper. Then as he lay he began to reason out matters a little more, till, right or wrong, he came to the conclusion that this must be a hunting party landed on the island to pursue the droves of pigs, one of which they had killed, cooked, and eaten. He felt lighter-hearted as he thought this, for ugly ideas had crept into his mind and made him shudder with horror. That this was the true reason for the blacks being there he felt more and more convinced, and this meant that there must be another opening through the reef somewhere unnoticed during their cruise round the island, so that if an examination had been made then, a canoe would be found run up on the sands waiting for their return. This point reached, Jack whispered suddenly to Ned-- "Do you think they have tied us up like this so as to take us down to a canoe?" "Yes, they've made us prisoners to take us away somewhere. That's what I think, sir." "Yes, and that's what I think, Ned. Now look carefully all round, and see if you can make out whether any one is watching." "Can't get my head up, sir," whispered the man after a pause, "but as far as I can make out they're all fast asleep." "Then let's try to get away." "Yes, sir; but how?" "Do as I do. I'm outside, and the ground slopes down from here. I'll start and you follow." "But I'm tied wrists and ankles, sir. I can't stir." "Yes, you can. Don't whisper so loud. I am going to roll myself over slowly, and keep on down that slope till I'm a little way off. Then I think we can get our knives out. I can get yours, or you can get mine. Or did they take yours?" "No, sir. It's in my pocket all right; I can feel it against me." "Then, ready. It's of no use to wait longer. I'll start, and you lie still and watch. If they don't notice my moving, then you can come." "No, sir, we go together or we don't go at all. I'm not going to lie still and let you be caught and knocked about perhaps." "There's no time for arguing, Ned. Do as I tell you. There, I'm off." Ned drew his breath hard, and raised his head a little to note whether his young master's movements were heard, but though the growth rustled and crackled a little not a savage stirred, and Jack went on rolling himself over and over, suffering pretty sharp pain from his bonds, but setting it at nought, and struggling on till well down out of sight of the rough camp.