The sailors will soon land, and you can then descend in perfect safety." The boom of a cannon came from the sea.

Instinctively the girl ducked for safety, though her companion smiled at her fears, for the shell would have long preceded the report, had it traveled their way.
"One of the remaining sampans has got under way," he explained, "and the warship is firing at her." Two more guns were fired.

The man-o'-war evidently meant business.
"Poor wretches!" murmured Iris.

"Cannot the survivors be allowed to escape ?" "Well, we are unable to interfere.

Those caught on the island will probably be taken to the mainland and hanged for their crimes, so the manner of their end is not of much consequence." To the girl's manifest relief there was no more firing, and Mir Jan announced that a number of sailors were actually on shore.