Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/160

 wasting time, he wondered why nothing had been done between the 27th and 30th of November. Then the idea occurred to him that Walston was endeavouring to get into French Den by strategy, and not by force.

"While we are in the cave," said he to Briant,

"Walston would have to force his way in through one of the doors, unless somebody opened them for him I He will try to get in by some dodge — "

"How? "asked Gordon.

"This way, perhaps. You see there are only Kate and I who could denounce him as the chief of a gang of robbers seeking to capture your colony, and he fancies Kate died at the wreck. As for me, I am drowned in the river, you know. He does not know you know anything — not even that he is on the island. If he was to come as if he had been wrecked, he may think you would receive him ; and once he got into the cave, he could let in his companions, when resistance would be impossible."

"Well," said Briant, "if Walston, or any of them, came asking shelter, we would shoot — "

"Or take our hats off? Which? " asked Gordon.

"That might be better," said the sailor.

"Diamond cut diamond, eh? Let us talk it over."

Next morning passed without adventure. Evans, with Donagan and Baxter, went out for half a mile, as far as Trap Woods, keeping well under the trees, at the base of Auckland Hill. They saw nothing unusual, and Fan, who accompanied them, gave no alarm.

But in the evening, just before sunset, Webb and Cross came in hurriedly from their post on the hill, and announced the approach of two men along the south side of the lake on the other side of Zealand River.

Kate and Evans, not wishing to be observed, at once hurried into the store-room, and, looking through the loopholes soon caught sight of Rock and Forbes.

"Evidently," said the sailor, "they are going to try treachery. They are coming as shipwrecked sailors—"

"What shall we do?" asked Briant.