ody vengeance for the poor boy's death. Serve out some grog to the
hands, steward; and some of you fellows stand by with some shot to
dump into the canoes if we should miss them with the guns and they get
alongside.'

But just as he spoke the mate called out, 'The canoes have stopped
paddling, sir, all except one, which is coming right on.'

'All right, I see it. Let them come and have a look at us. As soon as it
gets close enough, I'll sink it.'

For some minutes the canoe, which contained seven men, continued
to advance with great swiftness; then she ceased paddling, and the
steersman stood up and called out something to the ship, just as she was
well covered by two of the guns on the port side. In another minute she
would have been blown out of the water, when Tommy Sandwich ran aft and
said,--

'I think, cap'n, that fellow he no want fight ship; I think he want talk
you.'

'Perhaps so, Tommy; so we'll let him come a bit closer.'

Again the native paddles sent the canoe inward till she was well within
easy hailing distance of the ship, and the same native again stood up
and called out,--

'Hi, cap'n. No you shoot me. Me Baringa. Me like come 'board.'

'All right,' answered Captain Williams, 'come alongside.'

The moment the canoe ranged alongside, Baringa clambered up the side,
and advanced fearlessly toward the poop. 'Where cap'n?' he asked,
pushing unceremoniously aside those who stood in his way; and mounting
the ladder at the break of the poop he walked up to the master of the
_Boadicea_ and held out his hand.

In a very short time, by the aid of Tommy Sandwich, whose language was
allied to that of the natives of New Britain, Captain Williams learnt
how matters stood. His visitor was anxious to help him, and volunteered
to join the white man in an attack on the treacherous people of Mano,
though he gave but little hope of their finding Maurice alive. They had,
he said, stolen his own son twelve months before, and eaten him, and he
wanted his revenge. Presently, as a proof of his integrity, he produced
from a dirty leather cartridge pouch, that was strapped around his
waist, a soiled piece of paper, and handed it to the captain. It read as
follows:--

'The bearer, Baringa, is the chief of Kabaira Coast. He is a
thorough old cannibal, but, as far as I know, may be trusted
by white men. He supplied my ship with fresh provisions, and
seems a friendly old cut-throat.

'Matthew