"Good gracious! The ZZ-rays!" exclaimed the captain, with astonishment. "The only argument in favour of the ZZ-rays in preference to a bombardment is that their action is instantaneous and consequently painless. Is that your idea of mercy?" "No, sir. In any case we must land a party to search for our missing comrades. No doubt we can also 'round up' the savages, since they won't be in a state to offer much resistance." "And then?" "We can land a hundredweight of explosive, place it on yonder rock, which I believe is plainly visible from the village, and take the _Olive Branch_ down to the mouth of Desolation Inlet, whence she can explode the stuff by means of the ZZ-rays." "In the meantime what will the natives be doing?" "We can leave a party to keep them under guard. I will undertake that task if required, sir." "You have more faith in the infallibility of my invention than I have," observed Captain Brookes, with a grim smile. "What if I miscalculated the distance and wiped you out instead?" "With due precautions there is no risk, sir." "All right, Mr. Tregarthen. Since you are willing I make no objection. Only remember, the men required to guard the prisoners--if we succeed in taking any--must be volunteers, duly warned for the service." Meanwhile the submarine had been submersed and housed in its accustomed berth; the divers had made rapid progress towards replacing the repaired propeller, and preparations were in hand for the proposed visit to the native village. At sunrise on the following morning the launch, with the explosive safely stowed on board, lay alongside the cruiser. Captain Brookes signified his intention of heading the landing-party, which consisted of eighty well-armed men. "I am going to land on the eastern side of the inlet first," said the captain. "I mean to visit the site of the ambuscade. This done, we will cross to the other side and make a survey of the village." It was some time before the track of the unfortunate expedition could be picked up, since the snow had obliterated the footprints, and none of the survivors were sufficiently recovered to accompany the landing-party. At length a "blaze" was found, and from that point the direction taken by the former expedition was followed with little trouble. Although it was practically certain that all the natives who had taken part in the treacherous attack had been completely demoralised, Captain Brookes took no risks. Advanced and rear guards were told off, the men keeping their arms ready for instant use. In addition, the silencers had been removed from the rifles. "Why are those men halting?" demanded Captain Brookes, as the advance guard came to an abrupt stop. "They've found something, I think, sir," replied Lieutenant Sinclair. "Then tell them to continue the advance."