But no one fired at the rapidly advancing canoes, which were crowded with men; for suddenly there was a deep roar from the yacht, a heavy charge of grape-shot ploughed up the water in front of the first canoe, and the paddling in both ceased. Another shot sent the water flying over the second canoe, and as if animated by one brain, the paddles began to work again, not to send the vessels forward, but back toward the island; and five minutes later the boat was alongside the yacht. The men sent up a hearty cheer as Captain Bradleigh held out his hand to assist Jack on board, and his words were almost drowned in the welcoming cries; but Jack heard him, as the warm grip retained his hand, and another pressed his shoulder. "The best day's work, my lad, we ever did. God bless you, and thank Him for giving you safely back." Five minutes later the boat was swinging to the davits. "Don't want to punish them any more, Sir John, I suppose?" cried the captain. "No, no, let the miserable wretches go," said Jack's father. "Then we'll go back to the old anchorage, sir, for there's a look about the sky I don't like." The signal was given, and the yacht began to glide rapidly through the water, back toward where the volcano rose up glowing with colour in the morning light, while Jack was at Ned's side as he lay coming to on the deck. He stared about him for a few moments, and then fixed his eyes on those of Jack, breaking out half hysterically-- "I couldn't help it, Mr Jack, sir; don't set me down for a cowardly cur." "Help what?" said the lad wonderingly. "Turning like a woman, and fainting away that how. Oh, do give me a dose o' something, doctor, I feel sick as a dog." "No, no; lie still for a minute or two, and you'll be all right," said the doctor, patting his shoulder, and Ned uttered a cry. "Don't, don't, sir. It's agony--my bad shoulder--the arrow--and he hit me there with his club." "Ned, Ned," said Jack softly, as he bent over the poor fellow and held his hand, "who could think you a coward for saving my life?" The men began to cheer again when Ned was helped by the doctor and Jack down to his berth, wincing at the slightest touch, for his arm had received a nasty jar, but a smile came into his drawn face as he heard the hearty welcome. "Thankye, lads, thankye kindly," he kept on saying till he got below, where the steward helped him to change his clothes, and Jack went to his cabin for the same purpose. "Ever so much better, sir," cried Ned half-an-hour later, when Jack went to see him, and found him dressed and ready to go on deck. "That crack was just like one on the funny-bone, sir, but it's all gone off now. My eye, though! suppose it had been where he meant it! What a headache I should have had!" By the time Jack reached the deck, the islands from whence the blacks came were hidden by a peculiar-looking haze, and the _Star_ was racing through the sea to gain the shelter of the lagoon.