had fortunately on our jackets. These were soon
dried, and covering up our heads with them, we lay down to sleep on the
raft. In an instant, it seemed to me, my eyes closed, and I forgot all
that had occurred, and the fearful position in which we were still
placed. I suspect that Macco must have slept too, though when we lay
down he said that he should keep on the watch. I was still dreaming,
with my head covered up, thinking that I was seated at dinner at my old
school, and that a number of fellows suddenly burst in, shouting out
that it was to be a half-holiday. The noises grew louder and louder;
and presently a voice shouted close to me. It sounded strangely like
that of Macco; but how he came to be at school I could not tell.
Throwing the jacket off my head, I started up, and there I saw close to
us a large native prow. She was full of fierce-looking people, whose
voices I had at first heard. Macco, who had been asleep, had not till
just before perceived them. Oliver rose at the same time that I did.

"If they are human beings, they will treat us kindly," he observed,
standing up, and waving his hand.

Macco seemed far from satisfied with their appearance. "Me no like dem
fellows," he said; "dey cut t'roat--eat! eat!"

"No fear of that," I observed. "She looks to me like a trading prow,
though her men certainly would suit the deck of a pirate."

However, we had no choice. It was now perfectly calm, and the prow
rowed up to the raft, the men in her making signs to us to come on
board. As the vessel's side touched the raft, ropes were thrown to us,
and we soon clambered up on her deck. The people began to shout to us,
evidently asking us questions; which, of course, we were not able to
answer, not understanding a word that was said. The vessel was a
strange-looking craft, with large mat-sails, her deck sloping from the
stern down to the bows, which were by far the lowest part. In the
after-part was a poop-deck; under which there was a sort of cabin, while
a small house of bamboo in front of it formed another cabin. She was
steered by two rudders, one on either quarter, the tiller ropes coming
in through ports in the sides, and being worked by men who sat on the
deck under the poop. Her crew were brown-skinned men, in the usual
dress of Malay seamen; that is to say, a pair of trousers fastened round
the waist, a handkerchief encircling the head, and a thin cotton jacket,
which, however, was thrown