close as the reef will let us to meet her.
She makes for a narrow channel between the breakers. It is a question
whether she will get through. The spray, as it curls upwards,
completely conceals her. Or--I look through my glass--has she been
capsized by the breakers? No, she is seen again. Her crew give way.
She is soon alongside. All have come back safe, though they have been
in great peril of their lives.

Captain Fuller has a curious story to tell of the inhabitants of this
lovely spot. They are the wildest savages he has ever seen. More like
wild beasts than men, yet not so cruel as some of the islanders we have
met. As an example. It appears from what Taro has learned on shore,
that a vessel calling off here but a few days back, landed a number of
natives from another island, who, instead of being killed and eaten,
have been kindly treated. The name of the island is Raratonga, but
whereabouts it lies Taro could not learn, for the vessel appeared off
the coast at early dawn on the east side, and no one saw whence she
came. They are young women, and have a pitiable tale to tell of the
cruel way in which they were kidnapped by these monsters in human shape.
Probably to prevent disputes among his crew, the captain landed these
poor creatures, certainly from no motives of humanity if the account
Taro gives of them is true.

The vessel only left the island three days ago, so that we may chance to
fall in with her. Both Captain Fuller and the supercargo declare that
they will give the master a bit of their mind. "Suppose," say they, "we
had chanced to call off that island directly after those fellows had
perpetrated this rascality, not suspecting harm, what would have been
our fate? Without doubt we should have been clubbed."

"So we might, indeed!" I observe, but I think to myself, what may other
voyagers say who follow in our footsteps. Have we not shot down the
poor savages, who have been defending their own shores? Well may the
islanders be ready to destroy any white men they can get into their
power.

Captain Fuller says that he never was in greater danger of losing his
life than on this morning. If one of the party had wavered, the savages
would have been encouraged to rush in on them and club them. He and
Golding talk of looking for Raratonga in the hopes of trading with the
natives, but we can by no means learn in what direction it is to be
found. There is another group we hear of to the s