J. Allan Dunn

“ And it was sound reasoning that there were no natives in its immediate vicinity. Sound, also, that every movement of the supernatural visitor was noticed.
Manning reached the beach and stood erect, waving his Coston. Then he stooped and placed the box upon the sand well above tide-reach. From the bush shrill cries of terror sounded as he straightened up. Close by grew young cocopalms and palmetto scrub. He severed two palm-leaves, signs of amity, and thrust them on either side of his gift before he turned and stalked down the beach into the lagoon once more. ”

“ The boat edged in directly in a line for the beach, paddling softly under cover of the darkness, intensified by the going out of the chemical illuminants. Hooper hung over the stern, watching. In the bows the man with the lead sounded frequently, giving out his depths in a low voice. Then Hooper saw something glowing on the bottom like a submerged star. It was an electric torch carried by Manning, water-proof of case, with a powerful battery, part of his equipment. ”

“ He nodded toward the cone, now on their port bow. They were in its lee and the throbbing beat of the war-drums was plainer than ever.
“But I have had considerable experience with natives as a diver and there is no question but what the sight of a diver rising out of the sea knocks them absolutely cold—until they see you crawl out of your armor, like a hermit crab from its shell. Then they know you are only a man but you are still ace high.”
“Good reason for that,” said Hooper. ”