risk of discovery by means of the fire. In the absence of cooking
utensils, we hastily scooped out a Polynesian oven, and covered the
bottom with a layer of heated stones, upon which the food, carefully
wrapped in leaves, was deposited: another layer of hot stones was placed
on top, and the whole then covered with fresh leaves and earth. This is
the method adopted by the natives for baking bread-fruit and fish, and
with the exception of the trouble and delay involved, it is equal to any
thing that civilised ingenuity has devised for similar purposes, from
the old-fashioned Dutch-oven to the most recent style of "improved
kitchen ranges", with which I am acquainted. The heat being equally
diffused throughout the entire mass, and prevented from escaping by the
wrapping of leaves and earth, the subject operated upon, whether fish,
fowl, or vegetable, is thoroughly and uniformly cooked.

Max had just opened the oven, and was busily engaged in taking out and
distributing the contents, while the rest of us were gathered in a group
around the spot, when Eiulo suddenly uttered a shrill cry, and springing
up, stood gazing towards the west side of the brook, as if paralysed by
terror.

Looking up, we saw two natives standing at the edge of the wood quietly
watching us. One of them I at once recognised as the lithe and active
leader, whom I had seen upon the shore in swift pursuit of the
fugitives.

Our first impulse, was to spring at once into the Aoa, according to the
understanding to which we had partially come, as to what we were to do
if discovered. But a second glance showed that there were but two
enemies in sight, and as Arthur, to whom we looked for an example, gave
no signal for such a retreat, we hastily snatched up our weapons, and
placed ourselves beside him.

Atollo's quick eye--for it was he--ran from one to another of us, until
it rested upon Eiulo, when coming down to the margin of the brook, he
pronounced his name in a low, clear voice, and beckoned him with his
hand to come over to him.

Pale and trembling, like a bird under the charm of the serpent, Eiulo
made two or three uncertain steps towards him, as if about mechanically
to obey the summons: then, as Johnny seized the skirt of his wrapper,
and called out to him, "not to mind that wicked man," he paused, and
looked round upon us with a glance, half appealing, half inquiring,
which said more plainly than words--"Must I go?--Can you protect me--and