what your fate would be if they got the upper hand."

"Make tattooed chiefs of us seemingly, sir," said Jem.

"Or hot joints," said the officer laconically. "Ready there with that
lead."

The men rowed steadily on after the first canoe, and the man with the
lead kept on making casts, but getting no bottom except at an excessive
depth, as they went on, the scene growing more beautiful as each point
was passed. The other canoes followed, and a curious thrill ran through
Don, as he felt how helpless they would be if the savages proved
treacherous, for the boat and her crew could have been overpowered at
once; and the lieutenant was evidently uneasy, as he saw that they were
taken right round to the back of a small island, gradually losing sight
of the ship.

But he had his duty to do, and keeping a strict watch, after passing the
word to his men to have their arms ready, he made them row on, with the
lead going all the time.

It was a curious experience, and Don's heart beat as he thought of the
possibility of escaping from the boat, and taking to the shore,
wondering the while what would be the consequences. The man in the
leading canoe was evidently well treated, and quite one in authority;
and if they landed and joined these people, why should not he and Jem
become so too?

These were a few of the passing thoughts suggested by the novelty and
beauty of the place, which seemed ten times more attractive to those who
had been for months cooped up on shipboard; but the toil in which he was
engaged kept Don from taking more than a casual glance ashore.

Bosun Jones sat at the tiller side by side with the lieutenant, and
scraps of their conversation reached Don's ears.

"Well, sir," said the former, "as you say, we're out of the reach of the
sloop's guns; but if anything happens to us, we may be sure that the
captain will take pretty good revenge."

"And a deal of good that will do us, Jones," said the lieutenant. "I
believe that scoundrel is leading us into a trap."

"If he is, sir, I hope for one chance at him," said the boatswain; "I
don't think I should miss my man."

The leading canoe went on for quite a quarter of a mile after they had
passed out of sight of the ship, the cutter following and taking
soundings all the way, till they seemed to be quite shut in by high
land, and the water was as smooth as a lake.

There, about five hundred yards from the shore, the canoe stopped, and
almost at the same m