of our pursuers. The war-
canoe was so far behind us that it seemed but a little speck on the sea,
and the shouts, to which the crew occasionally gave vent, came faintly
towards us on the morning breeze. We therefore hoped that we should be
able to keep in advance for an hour or two, when we might, perhaps, reach
the land ahead. But this hope was suddenly crushed by the supposed land,
not long after, rising up into the sky; thus proving itself to be a fog-
bank!

A bitter feeling of disappointment filled each heart, and was expressed
on each countenance, as we beheld this termination to our hopes. But we
had little time to think of regret. Our danger was too great and
imminent to permit of a moment's relaxation from our exertions. No hope
now animated our bosoms; but a feeling of despair, strange to say, lent
us power to work, and nerved our arms with such energy, that it was
several hours ere the savages overtook us. When we saw that there was
indeed no chance of escape, and that paddling any longer would only serve
to exhaust our strength, without doing any good, we turned the side of
our canoe towards the approaching enemy, and laid down our paddles.

Silently, and with a look of bitter determination on his face, Jack
lifted one of the light boat-oars that we had brought with us, and,
resting it on his shoulder, stood up in an attitude of bold defiance.
Peterkin took the other oar and also stood up, but there was no anger
visible on his countenance. When not sparkling with fun, it usually wore
a mild, sad expression, which was deepened on the present occasion, as he
glanced at Avatea, who sat with her face resting in her hands upon her
knees. Without knowing very well what I intended to do, I also arose and
grasped my paddle with both hands.

On came the large canoe like a war-horse of the deep, with the foam
curling from its sharp bow, and the spear-heads of the savages glancing
the beams of the rising sun. Perfect silence was maintained on both
sides, and we could hear the hissing water, and see the frowning eyes of
the warriors, as they came rushing on. When about twenty yards distant,
five or six of the savages in the bow rose, and, laying aside their
paddles, took up their spears. Jack and Peterkin raised their oars,
while, with a feeling of madness whirling in my brain, I grasped my
paddle and prepared for the onset. But, before any of us could strike a
blow, the sharp prow of the war-canoe struc