first movement on our part to escape, would
probably be the signal for an instant and general attack by the priest
and his followers. We thought, therefore, that our best hope of safety
lay in maintaining a firm but quiet attitude, until Mowno, and those
disposed to protect us, could make their influence felt in our behalf.
They, however, confined their efforts to feeble expostulations and
entreaties; and perhaps it was unreasonable to expect them to engage in
a deadly conflict with their own neighbours, relatives, and personal
friends, in the defence of mere strangers like ourselves. They could
not even restrain the younger and more violent portion of the rabble
from carrying on the species of desultory warfare, from which Barton had
already suffered; on the contrary, the stones and other missiles, thrown
by persons on the outskirts of the crowd, fell continually thicker and
faster. At length Rokoa received a staggering blow on the back of the
head, from a clod of earth, thrown by some one who had stolen round
behind the rock for that purpose, and who immediately afterwards
disappeared in the throng.

"`How much longer are we to endure this?' cried Barton. `Must we stand
here and suffer ourselves to be murdered by these cowardly attacks? Let
us shoot a couple of them, and make a rush for the shore.'

"But a moment's reflection was enough to show the utter hopelessness of
such an attempt. However much the natives might be astounded for an
instant by the discharge of fire-arms, all fear and hesitation would
vanish upon our taking to flight. Our backs once turned would be the
mark for a score of ready spears; and except perhaps for Rokoa, whose
speed was extraordinary, there would be scarcely the possibility for
escape. Still it was evident that the audacity of our enemies was
steadily increasing, though their attacks were as yet covert and
indirect, and, as I knew that Rokoa would not hesitate to retaliate upon
the first open assailant, in which case we should be massacred upon the
spot, we might soon be compelled to adopt even so desperate a
suggestion, as the only alternative of instant death.

"At this critical moment, I noticed a sudden movement of surprise or
alarm, on the outskirts of the crowd. A group, directly in front of us,
no longer giving us their exclusive attention, began to whisper among
themselves, glancing and pointing towards the rising ground in our rear,
while a half suppressed and shudder