s were worn out, yet if we would let them come aboard they would,
after a little rest, tow the cutter in a calm, and not trouble us in
any way. Then, when we sighted Santo, they would leave us and make for
Leper's Island, which was the place they wanted to reach. The natives
there were very friendly, and there were some white men there.

'No,' I said, 'our vessel is too small for so many people. If you follow
Pentecost along to the north, you will sight Leper's Island as soon as
you round the north point. Now, haul your boat alongside. And here are
a couple of bottles of brandy for yourself and crew, some matches, and a
small box of tobacco.'

The boat hauled alongside, and our visitor, again thanking us, got in.
In a few minutes we saw their leader serving them out a nip; then the
night blotted them from view.

At daylight we were again becalmed and drifting steadily to the
northward. The boat was not in sight, and the only signs of life visible
around us were some slender columns of smoke ascending from the native
villages along the coast, which was less than three miles away. The heat
at ten o'clock was intense, and, to add to our discomfort, a heavy
swell set in and caused us to roll incessantly. However, we lowered our
mainsail, tried to be philosophical, and waited for a breeze. Towards
four in the afternoon a sharp rain squall swept down upon us from the
land; it lasted barely ten minutes, and was followed by others at short
intervals, and then we knew we were in for a night of it. Whenever one
of these squalls came tearing over the water we made good use of the
wind by running before it to the east, so as to get away from the land;
but at midnight we found we were still a great deal too close; and that
the current was very strong, and now setting in-shore very rapidly, we
could tell by the sound of the surf. There was nothing for us but to tow
off, for the water was too deep to anchor, even within thirty fathoms of
the reef. Just as we got the boat over the side there came a tremendous
downpour of rain, and we could only make ourselves heard by shouting to
each other at the top of our voices. This continued for half an hour,
and through it all, the boat, with Alan and three hands, continued to
tow. Suddenly the rain ceased--for about five minutes--only to fall
again with a deafening uproar. At two o'clock it toned down to a misty
drizzle, and we called to Alan to come alongside, as Hannah, two of his
natives a