to one, and Desmond to the other, facing the boat;
while the chief and several of his followers, who were armed with
muskets, levelled them at their heads.

"By my faith, we're in an unpleasant position," exclaimed Desmond.
"Sure the fellows can't be after blowing our brains out."

"They most certainly will, if Archie ventures to open fire on them; but
I don't think he'll do that while we're alive," answered Adair. "Had
Hamed been with us, we could have learned what they want. As it is, I'm
afraid that there is as little hope of our understanding them as there
is of their making out what we say. However, I'll try." Though Adair
was lashed to the tree, his arms were left at liberty, and beckoning to
the chief, he tried to make him signify what it was he wanted. At
length he seemed to understand Adair's question, and, going through the
action of rolling a cask down the beach, he put on an angry look, and
then, holding his musket and a piece of cloth in his hand, he showed
that he wanted those articles in payment for the water carried off.

"The rascal!" exclaimed Adair; "however, it's better to pay them than
run the risk of being shot," and, shouting to Archie, he directed him to
send two of his men on shore with the articles demanded, there
fortunately being still a supply of cloth on board, which had been
brought for bartering with the natives.

"Let the small-armed men cover the men while they are landing," he again
shouted, "and let them leave the things on the beach, and take good care
that the natives don't seize them."

Archie heard the order, and soon afterwards the canoe came towards the
beach, bringing an old musket and a few yards of calico.

The chief, eager to possess himself of the treasures, hurried down to
the water, while the men in the canoe, as directed, paddled back to the
boat. When the chief had got possession of them, he, like Pharaoh,
hardened his heart, and refused to liberate his captives, insisting on
having a further ransom. Adair was very much inclined to refuse, and
shook his head to show that he would pay no more. On this the chief
levelled his musket, with significant gesture's, showing that he
intended to persist in his demand.

"We must yield to the fellow," said Adair; "it would be folly to run the
risk of being shot for the sake of maintaining our dignity."

"I don't think that musket would be after shooting us," observed
Desmond, with perfect calmness.

"Why so?" ask