CHAPTER XX WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded. Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear. But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat. They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance. But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned. One reviled another for not having drawn the boat high enough up the shore, supposing that it had slipped down by its own weight. The strange thing was that, there being little or no current, it had so completely disappeared. They ran up and down the banks peering into the rushes, becoming more and more angry and perplexed as the suspicion dawned upon them that the boat had been stolen. Meanwhile Errington had explained to Burroughs what had happened. They were congratulating themselves on having at least won a respite, during which the repairing of the stay might be finished, when they heard a loud shout from the men who had thus been marooned. "There were two boats last night," said Errington. "They’re calling to the other." The shout was repeated, several men calling together. And then came a faint call in answer. "My tinkee ’nother boat come this side chop-chop," said Lo San. Again the shout was raised, and an answer came, a little less faintly, from somewhere in the distance. "We shall have the others on us in no time," said Burroughs. "How long will the job take now?" "Ten minutes to get the fire up again and finish welding, five to fix it," replied Errington. "There’s just a chance then, if you hurry up," said Burroughs. "They may be some time finding the fellows you have marooned. When they do find them, they’ll search the whole neighbourhood, and there isn’t the ghost of a chance of their not finding us, especially with the hammering going on again." "I tell you what," said Errington. "D’you think you could manage to lend a hand while Chin Tai finishes the job? He can’t do it alone, or Lo San either; but with you to keep an eye on it I think he could." "I could do that. Why?"