Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/122

108 "They'll be wanting to get back home soon, to watch the progress of that fire. The wind is shifting, and that will place the balance of the village in peril."

"Well, I don't want to see their homes burned down, but I do want to get away," groaned Dan, whose ankle hurt him not a little.

"Hush! they are coming this way," I whispered, as I detected advancing footsteps. "Lay low, now, or the game will be up."

After that we relapsed into silence, fairly holding our breath as two of the Kanakas kept drawing closer and closer to our hiding place. Presently the pair stood less than eight yards off, and I felt we must be uncovered, even in the darkness.

"Be prepared to run again," whispered Oliver, when from a distance came a low boom, like the discharge of a cannon. Long afterward we heard that a small keg of powder, situated in one of the burning huts, had exploded.

The report startled the Kanakas even more than it did us, and without waiting they retraced their steps to the cliff. Here their fellows joined them, and an exciting conversation ensued.

"Can you make out what they are saying?" I whispered.

"They are wondering if they had better go back or continue the search," answered Dan.

"I hope they do go back," put in Oliver. Then