earer and nearer, and we could now
distinguish the figures of the plumed warriors as they stood up in the
bows. The boat at the same time was slipping pretty quickly through the
water. "The breeze is freshening," I observed; "we may escape them
yet."

"I don't much care if we do or do not," said Pearson; "I should like to
knock over a few of these boasting fellows; we may hit them long before
they can get near enough to hurt us." I for my part did not wish to see
more of the savages killed, for they had only followed the instinct of
their untutored natures, and we had already inflicted a terrible
punishment on them in return. In a few minutes the breeze came down
even stronger than before, and greatly to my satisfaction, the canoes
appeared to be scarcely gaining on us, even if they did so at all. I
continued to give a glance every now and then at the ship, for I was
afraid after all she might alter her course, and stand away from us.

At length, to my joy, I saw the savages in the canoes cease paddling.
They apparently were afraid of venturing farther out into the ocean, or
saw that it would be hopeless to attempt overtaking us. For some
minutes they waited, as if holding a consultation, and then round they
paddled and made their way back into the harbour.

"Just like them," exclaimed Pearson. "Those cowardly red-skins will
never fight unless they can take their enemies at an advantage."

We had to make several tacks towards the ship, and then when we got near
enough for the sound of our muskets to reach her, we fired several as a
signal. They were at length, we concluded, heard on board. She kept
away towards us. She drew nearer. We saw that she was a whaler, with
the English colours flying at the peak. She rounded to, and we went
alongside. "What has happened?" exclaimed several voices, as old Tom's
body was seen lying in the stern-sheets. A few words told our tale. I
was able to climb up the side, but Pearson and Green were so stiff from
their wounds that they had to be helped up. They were far more hurt
indeed than they had supposed, especially Pearson; but his dauntless
spirit had hitherto kept him up. Our boat was hoisted on board, and old
Tom's body was taken out and laid on deck. We were treated with great
kindness, and the captain, greatly to my satisfaction, volunteered to
give old Tom Christian burial. He had, as we supposed, intended to go
into the harbour to obtain wood and water, and