announced in
a matter-of-fact way that he meant to put up some petitions for the
welfare of their souls. To this Bickley retorted that from what he had
seen of their bodies he was sure they needed them.

Yes, it was a pleasant supper, not made less so by a bottle of champagne
which Bickley and I shared. Bastin stuck to his tea, not because he did
not like champagne, but because, as he explained, having now come
in contact with the heathen it would never do for him to set them an
example in the use of spirituous liquors.

"However much we may differ, Bastin, I respect you for that sentiment,"
commented Bickley.

"I don't know why you should," answered Bastin; "but if so, you might
follow my example."

That night we slept like logs, trusting to our teak door which we
barricaded, and to Tommy, who was a most excellent watch-dog, to guard
us against surprise. At any rate we took the risk. As a matter of fact,
nothing happened, though before dawn Tommy did growl a good deal, for
I heard him, but as he sank into slumber again on my bed, I did not get
up. In the morning I found from fresh footprints that two or three men
had been prowling about the ship, though at a little distance.

We rose early, and taking the necessary precautions, bathed in the pool.
Then we breakfasted, and having filled every available receptacle with
water, which took us a long time as these included a large tank that
supplied the bath, so that we might have at least a week's supply in
case of siege, we went on deck and debated what we should do. In the
end we determined to stop where we were and await events, because, as
I pointed out, it was necessary that we should discover whether these
natives were hostile or friendly. In the former event we could hold our
own on the ship, whereas away from it we must be overwhelmed; in the
latter there was always time to move inland.

About ten o'clock when we were seated on stools smoking, with our guns
by our side--for here, owing to the overhanging cliff in which it will
be remembered the prow of the ship was buried, we could not be reached
by missiles thrown from above--we saw numbers of the islanders advancing
upon us along the beach on either side. They were preceded as before
by women who bore food on platters and in baskets. These people,
all talking excitedly and laughing after their fashion, stopped at a
distance, so we took no notice of them. Presently Marama, clad in
his feather cloak, and aga