"
The Captain went on then with preparations for crossing to the island
for drinking water and edible fruits. Unfortunately the powder and
firearms were all under water, so that the men had to make the
dangerous landing armed only with clubs and knives. The Captain led
the party, taking with him four sailors, a dozen or more Chinamen, and
small Peppo to act as interpreter. Willy would have gone gladly, but
his uncle would not hear to his risking his life unnecessarily.
"I'll pray for you, uncle," said the boy, "that it won't go with you
as--as--"
"As certain people had planned it for you and others," the uncle
finished the sentence of the faltering child. "Yes, pray that the old
saying that 'He who digs a grave for another, himself falls therein,'
may not be fulfilled." Turning to Redfox, he asked: "Don't you want to
go with me?"
The latter muttered something under his breath and slipped away. The
Captain gave the signal and soon they were on the opposite shore. A
group of natives came down to greet them, seemingly in friendly
fashion, offered them fruit, and helped to roll the casks up on the
beach; then all of a sudden with unearthly shrieks they fell upon them
with their clubs.
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