CHAPTER XIV--THE MARTHA.
They were deep in a game of billiards the next morning, after the eleven o'clock breakfast, when Viaburi entered and announced,-- "Big fella schooner close up." Even as he spoke, they heard the rumble of chain through hawse-pipe, and from the veranda saw a big black-painted schooner, swinging to her just- caught anchor.
"It's a Yankee," Joan cried.

"See that bow! Look at that elliptical stern! Ah, I thought so--" as the Stars and Stripes fluttered to the mast-head.
Noa Noah, at Sheldon's direction, ran the Union Jack up the flagstaff.
"Now what is an American vessel doing down here ?" Joan asked.

"It's not a yacht, though I'll wager she can sail.

Look! Her name! What is it ?" "_Martha_, San Francisco," Sheldon read, looking through the telescope.
"It's the first Yankee I ever heard of in the Solomons.

They are coming ashore, whoever they are.