the companion hatch. The crew have been
prepared, and stand ready to run in the after-guns and to slew them
round the instant the chiefs are secured. I listen for the signal,
anxiously watching the proceedings of the savages. Now I see them
talking together; now they handle their clubs, and look towards the
cabin, as if waiting for the return of their chiefs to begin the work of
death. They eye our men askance. It is clear that both parties
mistrust each other. The suspense is painful in the extreme. There is
a sound of struggling, and shouts from the cabin; the savage warriors
press aft. Just then the captain cries out that the chiefs are secured.
I order the guns to be slewed round, and sign to the natives to keep
back. They are about to make a rush, when Bent springs on deck, and
shouts to them in their own language, warning them that if they move our
war-fire will burst forth on them, and that their chiefs will be killed.
The men, looking grim and fierce, stand match in hand at the guns.
Bent now orders the savages to return to their canoes. Sulkily, and
with many a glance of defiance at us, they stand, unwilling to obey,
till Captain Fuller brings on deck, bound, one of their chiefs, holding
a pistol to his ear. The chief speaks to them, and one by one they go
down the ship's side. Bent now tells them that unless all our
companions return in safety the lives of the chiefs will be taken. I
bethink me of writing a note to the supercargo, telling him what has
occurred, and urging him to return instantly. I give it to the last
savage who leaves the deck, and Bent explains to whom the paper is to be
delivered. We now use all haste to get ready for sailing. We have for
the present escaped a great danger, but we tremble for the fate of our
shipmates, and we are convinced that fear alone will keep these savages
in order. The chiefs, finding that Bent can speak their language,
endeavour to persuade him to let them go. "When our friends return you
will be set at liberty," is his answer. It seems at present very
doubtful whether they ever will return. Bent says that these people are
treacherous in the extreme, worshippers of devils, offerers up of human
sacrifices, and cannibals, though not so bad as the people of Fiji, the
next islands we are to visit. The chiefs all this time are kept in
durance below. I have seldom seen four finer men in figure and feature.
The children, Bent says, are often quite white