ct"--

"Act!" cried Jack, raising himself, and tossing back his hair wildly; "it
is mockery to balk of acting when one is bound hand and foot. How can I
act? I cannot fight a whole nation of savages single-handed. Yes," he
said, with a bitter smile, "I can fight them, but I cannot conquer them,
or save Avatea."

"Patience, my friend; your spirit is not a good one just now. You cannot
expect that blessing which alone can insure success, unless you are more
submissive. I will tell you my plans if you will listen."

"Listen!" cried Jack, eagerly, "of course I will, my good fellow; I did
not know you had any plans. Out with them. I only hope you will show me
how I can get the girl on board of this schooner, and I'd up anchor and
away in no time. But proceed with your plans."

The teacher smiled sadly: "Ah! my friend, if one fathom of your anchor
chain were to rattle, as you drew it in, a thousand warriors would be
standing on your deck. No, no, that could not be done. Even now, your
ship would be taken from you were it not that Tararo has some feeling of
gratitude toward you. But I know Tararo well. He is a man of falsehood,
as all the unconverted savages are. The chief to whom he has promised
this girl is very powerful, and Tararo _must_ fulfil his promise. He has
told you that he would do nothing to the girl for three days; but that is
because the party who are to take her away will not be ready to start for
three days. Still, as he might have made you a prisoner during those
three days, I say that God has given them to us."

"Well, but what do you propose to do?" said Jack, impatiently.

"My plan involves much danger, but I see no other, and I think you have
courage to brave it. It is this: There is an island about fifty miles to
the south of this, the natives of which are Christians, and have been so
for two years or more, and the principal chief is Avatea's lover. Once
there, Avatea would be safe. Now, I suggest that you should abandon your
schooner. Do you think that you can make so great a sacrifice?"

"Friend," replied Jack, "when I make up my mind to go through with a
thing of importance, I can make any sacrifice."

The teacher smiled. "Well, then, the savages could not conceive it
possible that, for the sake of a girl, you would voluntarily lose your
fine vessel; therefore as long as she lies here they think they have you
all safe: so I suggest that we get a quantity of stores conveyed t