At last, though, hope began to grow stronger in the prisoners' breasts, for it was plain now that with full steam on the yacht was rapidly coming up. "They'd got no pressure on at first, sir, only enough to send her along a bit. What do you say to it now?" "It's in doubt, Ned. They may run us into shallow water where the yacht dare not come." "But she dare send her boats, sir. Oh, we're all right now.--If they don't knock us on the head when they find they're beaten," Ned added to himself. The faces of those on board the yacht began now to grow plain as the mountain seemed to be steadily sinking in the distance, and figures could be made out on the low shore in front. "Ned, Ned, look," whispered Jack excitedly. "It's all over with us." "Why, what for?" "Can't you see they are getting out two more canoes?" "You've got better eyes than I have, sir; I can't see anything." Jack proved to be right, for soon after a couple of great canoes came through an opening in a line of breakers, and made straight for the one which bore the prisoners. "It's going to be a close shave, Mr Jack," said Ned at last. "If they get near enough to the land they'll win, because the _Star_ won't dare to follow, but I don't give up yet. Only look here, sir, if matters come to the worst they'll try and kill us, so be on the look-out. You can swim now after those lessons I gave you." "Oh, Ned, only a few strokes. I cannot trust myself," groaned Jack. "Oh dear! and you a gent, and your education neglected like that. Why, to be able to swim now, sir, is worth all the Latin and Greek in the world. But never mind, I can, though all the Greek I know is _quantum stuff_, and p'r'aps that's Latin. You do as I tell you; the moment you see that one of the niggers means mischief, over you go; I shall be there, and I'll help you swim, sir, and the yacht's sure to have a boat ready to drop and pick us up." On they went, with the wind sending the canoe rapidly along, and the blacks sat on the edge to keep her well down, and on the outrigger. The speed now was wonderful, the long elastic vessel bent and glided like some live creature over the swell, and had the blacks had another mile to go, the fate of the two prisoners would have been sealed; but at full speed now the yacht, with sail after sail shaken out to the help of the propeller, came up hand over hand, and when pretty close swayed off to windward, curved round as she glided by, and was once more answering her helm in the other direction, racing for the canoe's bows, the steering being so true that the fore-part was forced under water while the stern rose slowly in the air. "Now for it," said Ned sharply. Jack hesitated for a moment or two, and then tried to plant one foot upon the side and leap after his companion; but his momentary hesitation was nearly fatal, for one of the blacks made a dash at him, caught him by the shoulder, and struck at him with his raised club.