boat resumed her
former course, as Godfrey saw that he should pass well ahead of the
canoes coming out from the shore, and she moved faster with the wind
abeam than she did close-hauled. Even while sitting down the canoes
could be seen now. The natives were paddling their hardest, and the
light craft danced over the surface of the water, which was now
beginning to be ruffled by the breeze.

Half an hour later they joined the pursuers astern, and their yells
could be heard although they were half a mile away. Godfrey counted them
as he passed ahead of the fleet, and there were thirty-three canoes,
each with two paddlers.

"The yourts must be thick along the coasts here, Luka; they must have
gathered up all those canoes from at least half a dozen camps. Now I
will lend you a hand."

He eased the sheet still further, so that the boat should heel over
less, and fastened it in a loose knot, which could be slipped in an
instant. Then he betook himself to his paddle.

"Those fellows behind have had a long row out against the wind, and have
no doubt been working their hardest ever since they caught sight of our
sail. A stern-chase is a long chase. I fancy the wind has freshened a
little, but it is very little."

Occasionally he looked back over his shoulder.

"They are gaining slowly, Luka, but they are a good half mile behind us
still, and it will take them two or three hours to pick that up. I am
quite sure now that if we cut the boat adrift we can forge ahead, hand
over hand, but that must be a last resource; it is almost a matter of
life and death to be able to keep it with us. Still it is a satisfaction
to know that if the worse comes to the worst we can get away from
them."

Jack fully entered into the excitement of the chase, taking his seat on
the covering near the stern, and barking defiance at their pursuers.
Another hour's paddling and the space between the canoe and the natives
was lessened by half.

"Now, Luka, I will send them a couple of bullets as a reminder that we
have got weapons."

Laying in his paddle he took his gun, turned round and knelt looking
astern, and fired both barrels at the fleet of canoes. He had not taken
any particular aim, for the gun was of little use at a distance
exceeding a hundred yards, and the motion of the canoe would have
prevented anything like accuracy of shooting even with a rifle. He
intended to frighten rather than to hurt, and gave the gun a
considerable elevation