"We must all keep together, at any rate," replied Moss. "The danger arises when there is any separation. I'll never forget in one of the South Sea Islands when I strolled away into the bush by myself. I had not been half an hour alone before I was surrounded by yelling savages. I made a bolt for it, but it was more by good luck than anything else I got back to the boat with nothing worse than a couple of spear wounds." "This is different to the South Seas," said Phil; "but as you say, it is well to be cautious, for there is no telling what may happen. This cannot be Rank's Bay; there's no pearl shell in here." "I wonder if we shall find the place," said Jack. "We will find it if it is to be found," answered Phil, as the boat grated on the sand, and he sprang out, gun in hand. The others followed, and leaving a man in charge with instructions to keep a sharp look out, they walked up the sloping bank under the trees. "There's a path here," said Moss, "and that's a sure sign natives hang about the place." Jack Redland was looking across the bay, thinking what a glorious sight it was, when the sand on the opposite side seemed to be alive with a moving mass of living creatures. He gave an exclamation of surprise, and the others turned round to ascertain the cause. "Look!" said Jack, pointing across. "What are those black masses moving about on the beach?" "By jove, they are turtles!" exclaimed Moss. "We must get hold of some of them before we go back to the schooner. They are splendid eating and no doubt we shall find any amount of eggs." Jack had tried turtle soup, and seen an occasional one in a London shop, but here was a swarm that fairly astonished him. "Shall we follow the path or try for the turtle?" asked Moss. "Turtle, by all means," laughed Jack. "I'm rather curious about that path," was the reply. "Hang the path! I agree with Mr. Redland. Let us go for the turtle," said Phil, as he walked towards the boat. They followed him, and were sauntering leisurely down when a strange whirring, hissing sound was heard, and a shower of spears fell all round them. This was followed by loud cries, and savage yells, and a crashing in the bush behind them. "Run for it!" yelled Moss, and they raced down the beach for the boat. CHAPTER ELEVENTH _TURNING TURTLE AND AFTER_ They had barely time to scramble into the boats and pull out into the bay before the savages dashed down to the edge of the beach waving their spears frantically. Some, more venturesome than others, plunged into the water and swam swiftly after the boats. There must have been at least a hundred, and a fierce looking lot they were. The men pulled hard and the boats were soon out of range of the spears, but it was a narrow escape. "Let them have a dose of shot," said Moss.