ieved with the utmost regularity, while the weary watches were spent in gazing at

e, and the camp became

to the boat; Quexo, however, rema

south-easterly breeze-a part of the regular trade-wind-blowin

from the little natural dock. "Yesterday the clouds kept the sun's

like work," remarked T

o last night," replied his friend. "Still, this is an exceptional time, and w

don't know the actual depth, and there is a slight swell on. We'll bo

tion, and in less than half an hour from the time of leav

was a difficult problem, for the ox was an unwieldy brute to ship aboard the cutter, while it was equally risky to let it

lour, salt beef, tinned goods, and some small chests of pressed tea. These arti

ng like a second-hand wardrobe dealer, for he realised the necessity of having a good supply of clothing. Then a huge pi

be sufficient for one

ing instruments," replied Ellerton, "and, wh

t will, of course, come in handy;

and on board," said Ellerton. "I've seen to t

e o

must kill it and bring th

anger of the animal being devoured by sharks. Dead or

o get the brute on

the foremast the derricks for working t

air of sheer-legs,"

o pass a sling roun

s pie; the beast

. So let's look sharp with the sheer-legs; there

roceeded without a hitch, then Ellerton com

to the partially submerged hold. Holding a stout canvas sling, with a rope ready to haul tight

thought the youth was one of the brutal Peruvian cattle-drivers. If so, there was some excuse for its action, for lowering its head the

y ready?" asked a

ne part of his anatomy. The task of tackling an apparently in

" he replied. "The bru

ended into the semi

nearly bumped my head against the deck-bea

ng round him," said Andy. "We'll

ty: how were they to release the animal f

n deck, wind it on to the tackle, and heave taut. Then we'll u

ens to me?" obj

nd stay there till Terence and I haul the brute on dec

el. Directly there was a strain on the lasso, he threw open th

e animal was slowly dragged towards the hatch, to the accom

iving, expecting every moment to see the rope part a

loor of the hold, then its ponderous carc

light of day revealed-not a mild ox, but an un

r guy!" shouted Andy, "or he'll drop

he sheers to incline too far forward, the

rence and Andy were flying for their lives, while Ellerton, a prisoner in the hold, heard the th

ng from the boat booms, and swung himself into a position of comparative safety upon one of t

ULL CLOSE TO HIS HE

INTO A POSITION OF

Terence, finding that he was not pursued, took a more leisurely step, and hoisted himself i

ppointment, then spying the heap of bedding and clothing on t

, and indulging in vain regrets that their firearms were not available,

impaled upon the brute's horns,

with ventilators, hatchways, and other obstacles, each obstruction increasing its anger. W

smashed to firewood," shouted An

n's voice shouting to be released from his priso

ng it completely in half, and was lying on the bottom-boards plun

ed Andy. "It's the only way," and running af

ed Terence. "You'll do almost as much

y catch of the weapon, he swung himself without

. Its head reared itself slightly a

nce. Throw Hoppy the tail end of a

d, blinking in the strong

arp. We've wasted enough time and precious car

to bring the bull ashore alive, was also ill at ease. Nor did the latter guess the cause of his friend's glumness till some days later, when he observed Andy repairing