The sails were set by this time, and the _Dayspring_ was heading to sea. Overhead the sky was cloudless, and the hot sun made the plain of the sea glitter as with myriads of jewels. As the wind bellied the sails, and the boat increased her speed, the foam swirled in creamy flakes from her sharp bow. In her own cabin, Tera was arranging her effects for the voyage. Suddenly she heard loud voices, the scuffle of feet, and then a cry of surprise from Jack. She ran hurriedly into the saloon. There, between two stalwart sailors, stood Brand. He was dusty, dirty, haggard and pale; but his eyes were bright, and his face set firm. "You scoundrel!" cried Jack, fiercely; "how did you come on board?" "He's a blooming stowaway, sir," spoke up one of the sailors; "we found him hidden in the hold." Before Brand could answer, the skipper came down the companion in a fury. "A stowaway aboard my boat?" he snapped out. "How did---- Well, here's a party! It's your Brand." "Yes," replied Brand, looking from one to another; "when I ran away, I knew you'd put the police on to me, so I came back to Sister Hoppus. She hid me in her cottage, and the police never looked for me there. Last night, as she found out you were leaving for Koiau, I got down to the water, and swam out to the boat, where I concealed myself." "I'll put you ashore, cuss you," growled Shackel. "I ain't going to have no Jonah this trip, no, sir." "I am innocent--I never----" "Here, shut your jaw," said Jack, sharply; "we heard you confess with your own lips that you killed Zara in mistake for my wife." "Your wife? Are you married?" "Yes, we are married," cried Tera; "and we go to Koiau to punish Niga." "I go to Koiau also," said Brand, resolutely folding his arms; "you can't put me ashore now." "Can't we?" growled Shackel, savagely. "There's two words to that, my lad; we drop Pharaoh here down Channel, and you'll go with him. A nice square time you'll have; for he knows you killed his gal, and he'll knife you, sure as a gun." "I'll hold my own. If you won't take me to Koiau, at least I'll have a chance of escape now I'm out of Grimleigh." "How do you know we won't hand you over to the police?" "What good will that do?" retorted Brand, doggedly, "you can't prove that I killed the girl." "Three of us can. Johnson, myself, and Tera. But I don't care if you swing or not. All I wish for is the truth. Here are pen, ink, and paper, so you sit down and write a confession." "I won't," said Brand, desperately. "Won't you, by gum!" roared the skipper; "then I'll clap you in irons, and send you ashore at the nearest port in charge of the police."