"We made the island, and after considerable search found
the survivors. Each of 'em tried to lay the blame on the
others, but finally they all agreed that a man by the name of
Theriere with a seaman called Byrne, had taken you into the
interior, and that they had believed you dead until a few days
since they had captured one of the natives and learned that
you had all escaped, and were wandering in some part of the
island unknown to them.
"Then we set out with a company of marines to find you.
Your father, impatient of the seeming slowness of the officer
in command, pushed ahead with Mr. Mallory, Mr. Poster, and
myself, and two of the men of the Lotus whom he had
brought along with us.
"Three days ago we were attacked and your father and Mr.
Mallory taken prisoners. The rest of us escaped, and endeavored
to make our way back to the marines, but we became
confused and have been wandering aimlessly about the island
ever since until we were surprised by these natives a few
moments ago. Both the seamen were killed in this last fight
and Mr. Foster and myself taken prisoners--the rest you
know."
Byrne was on his feet now. He found his sword and
revolver and replaced them in his belt.
"You men stay here on the island and take care of Miss
Harding," he said.
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