From the moment when everything was in readiness for the carrying out of Mr. Clark’s scheme there were no sounds to be heard on the island save those caused by the apes or the myriad forms of insect life. It was as if the colonists had suddenly been stricken dumb; and so careful was the captain and his officers to carry out the plan thoroughly that this silence was not broken by any one under their command.

Save for the six ominous-looking protuberances from the shutters, everything about the village was as it had been when the colonists fled before the pirates, and even human beings might have been deceived by this pretended abandonment of the island.

It was not expected that the apes would make any demonstration during the hours of darkness; therefore, with the exception of a sentinel at each loop-hole, the entire party slept until morning, when certain noises in the adjacent forest proclaimed the fact that Goliah’s forces had taken note of the unusual silence.

It so chanced that Philip was stationed at a point overlooking the same portion of the thicket as when he alone defended the building; and inasmuch as it[267] was directly opposite his station that Goliah had taken his stand during both times the settlement had been attacked, the animal-trainer naturally hoped the huge baboon would direct the movements of his followers from the spot he had previously occupied.

If the leader could be killed it was but natural to suppose his followers would be dispersed, and Philip’s great desire was to put an end to the career of the baboon who had caused him so much suffering.

Two hours after sunrise the first decisive move was made by the enemy. Previous to this moment they could have been heard chattering among the thickets; but now a party of about a dozen, who had evidently been sent forward to spy out the situation of affairs, came boldly from the shelter of the trees and marched entirely around the settlement.

The purpose of the concealed party was to wait until the main body of the enemy had been massed where a volley of grape-shot could be sent into their midst; therefore these spies were allowed to return to their leaders unmolested.

At the end of the third hour another party reconnoitered in much the same fashion as had the first, save that they went on the verandas of several cottages, trying the doors and windows, and when they disappeared to make a report Philip understood that the time was near at hand when a salutary lesson might be given.

From the thicket could be heard a noise as of[268] breaking limbs, shrill cries of command, and now and then a hoarse shout from Goliah, until suddenly fully one-half the main body of apes burst into view from among the foliage.

Philip looked in vain for Goliah; that wily old baboon had no intention of exposing his precious person when there were soldiers enough under his command to do the fighting.

The guns were already trained, and at the signal, which was the discharge of a revolver by one of the men stationed near Captain Seaworth, the six cannon belched forth their iron hail, mowing great gaps through the enemy’s lines.

There was no opportunity to repeat this dose, for in a twinkling every animal who yet had command of his limbs disappeared, and nothing was left in view of the concealed party save huge piles of dead and wounded.

Although it was not probable the apes would show themselves again, no sound was made by those in concealment save such as was necessary in reloading the cannon, and until four o’clock that afternoon all remained on the alert, but without seeing or hearing a single member of Goliah’s forces.

That it was useless to continue the ambush any longer Captain Seaworth knew perfectly well, and at the word of command the colonists came out from their hiding-places to perform such duties as were absolutely necessary in the way of preparing food for themselves and their wounded comrades in the court-yard.

[269]

Among the first work to be done was to bury the slain, for in that tropical climate the bodies would decompose rapidly, and thus, even after death, be a source of danger to those who had killed them.

The number of the fallen was less than had at first been supposed. One hundred and twelve were all that could be found, and while it was reasonable to believe fully as many more had received wounds of which they would soon die, the ranks of the enemy had not been decimated to any appreciable extent.

The sun set before the deep trench which ha............