uld see, and from the circumstance of its containing water and
provisions, we inferred that it did not belong to persons inhabiting the
island, or this portion of it at any rate. There was at least a
probability of its belonging to the party which we had tracked so nearly
to the spot, and that they were now somewhere in the neighbourhood.

"This canoe must be destroyed," said Morton, after a moment of silence,
"and we had better set about it at once."

This proposition seemed a bold and a somewhat strange one. Browne
demanded the object of such a proceeding.

"Unless we do this," answered Morton, "our companions, if they are still
alive, and in the power of the savages, may be carried away from the
island before our eyes, and separated from us for ever. As long as they
are here, within our reach, there is hope of our being able to rescue
them; if not by force, then by some device or stratagem. At the worst,
we only run some unnecessary risk, by what I propose. Could we ever
forgive ourselves if Arthur should be carried off through our having
omitted a precaution calculated to prevent it?"

Morton's decision and earnestness prevailed; while he undertook the work
of destroying the canoe, Max, Browne, and I, stationed ourselves at
different points around the spot, so as to give timely notice of the
approach of any person. He devoted himself to his task with such
vigour, that in a very few moments he had completely broken up the
bottom of the canoe, by repeated blows of a stone as heavy as he could
lift in both hands. Not content with this, he disengaged the outrigger,
and threw it, together with the mast and sail, into the sea.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

THE RENCONTRE.

THE TWO LEADERS--AN UNEXPECTED MEETING--THE COUNCIL OF WAR--AND WHAT
FOLLOWED.

"Now screw your courage to the sticking point."

"With many a stiff thwack, many a bang,
Hard crab-tree and old iron rang;
While none who saw them could divine
To which side conquest would incline."

I had climbed to the top of the bank as my look-out station, while the
work of demolishing the canoe was going forward, and on perceiving that
Morton had accomplished his task, I was about to descend again, when
taking a final sweeping glance to the north and east, I observed several
figures moving rapidly along the beach, at a point somewhat less than a
quarter of a mile distant, of which my position commanded a view, and
coming towards us. In consequence