em
adrift and returned up the creek. Then, covered by the muskets of
the soldiers, the others took their places, in good order and
regularity, until at last all were in the boats. The soldiers were
ordered to stand up, and to keep up a steady fire upon the shore;
while the sailors laid to, with a hearty goodwill.

The natives rushed down to the shore in great numbers, and although
many of them must have fallen under the fire of the soldiers, they
yet waded into the water, in their anxiety to seize the boats, and
poured large numbers of arrows into them.

When the three boats gained the open sea there were few, indeed, of
the Portuguese who had not received wounds, more or less severe, by
the arrows; and several had been killed, in addition to others who
had fallen on shore. The soldiers had suffered much less severely
than the sailors; for although they had been more hotly engaged,
their breast pieces and steel caps had protected them, and they
were principally wounded in the limbs.

The canoes were now picked up, and with these in tow the party
returned to the ship. Here their wounds were dressed, by a priest
who accompanied the vessel in her voyages, landing at the different
stations, and ministering to the garrisons of the islands. He had
some knowledge of the healing art, and poured soothing oils into
the wounds inflicted by the arrows. The men were much alarmed lest
these arrows should be poisoned, but Ned assured them that none of
those who had been wounded, during the attacks on shore, had died
from the effects; and that, although it was the custom in many of
these islands to use poisoned weapons, the people of Ternate, at
least, did not practice this barbarous usage.

Morning was just breaking as the party gained the ship, and the
captain was glad that Ned had postponed the landing until midday;
as it gave the tired men time to rest, and prepare themselves for
fresh labors.

As soon as the shore could be seen, it was evident that the
destruction and carrying off of the canoes had created an immense
impression. The cliff was lined with natives, whose gesticulations,
as they saw their canoes fastened to the stern of the ship, were
wild and vehement.

A little before noon the boats were hauled up alongside, the
soldiers took their places in them with loaded arquebuses, and as
many sailors as could be spared also entered, to assist in their
advance. The ship carried several pieces of artillery, and these
w