oncluded she
was bound to the coast of New Guinea for tripang, or sea-slug--
considered a great delicacy by the Chinese and other people to the
north; perhaps for pearls to the Aru Islands, or for other productions
of the southern part of the archipelago. We found, at all events, that
they were steering to the south. For several days they stood on, not
altering their course. We were treated in the same manner as we had
been since they had failed to discover the wreck of which we had told
them. They gave us but scanty food, and allowed us but little water.
The interpreter no longer came near us, while scowling looks were cast
at us from every side. At length an island appeared on our port-bow,
towards which the prow was steered. It was thickly wooded, down to the
very water's edge. A variety of strange-looking shrubs were seen, with
lofty and elegant palms rising above them. What they were going to do
we could not surmise. Having got close in, the sails were lowered, and
the anchor let go. A boat was then launched. As we were standing
looking towards the shore, the chief touched me on the shoulder, and
made signs that I was to get into the boat. I knew that resistance
would be useless. Two men then stepped in. I also did as I was
ordered. He then signed to Oliver and Macco to follow; Macco going
forward, and Oliver and I sitting in the stern. We endeavoured to
ascertain from the chief why we were to be carried to the island; but he
did not answer, making only an impatient gesture to us to be off.
Without wasting further words, we took our seats, and the two men began
to pull away towards the shore.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

OUR ISLAND.

A ledge of rocks running out from the land formed a small natural
harbour, into which the boat ran, and soon reached the sandy beach.
Here the crew made signs to us to land. We obeyed, for resistance, of
course, was useless. I jumped on shore, followed by my two companions,
and scarcely wetting our feet, we reached the dry beach. The men, then
giving a shove with their oars, pulled away, leaving us on what appeared
to be an uninhabited island. Why we were thus treated we could not
comprehend.

"I do not see that we have any great reason to complain," observed
Oliver. "We should have been very thankful had we reached this island
on the raft, and we ought to be very much obliged to those people for
carrying us here. They might have taken us to some place and sold us