craft, five men stood upon this long beam, grasping five shrouds. Yet
they failed to counterbalance the pressure of the sail; and owing to
the opposite inclination of the twin canoes, these living statues
were elevated high above the water; their appearance rendered still
more striking by their eager attitudes, and the apparent peril of
their position, as the mad spray from the bow dashed over them.
Suddenly, the Islanders threw their craft into the wind; while, for
ourselves, we lay on our oars, fearful of alarming them by now coming
nearer. But hailing them again, we said we were friends; and had
friendly gifts for them, if they would peaceably permit us to
approach. This understood, there ensued a mighty clamor; insomuch,
that I bade Jarl and Samoa out oars, and row very gently toward the
strangers. Whereupon, amid a storm of vociferations, some of them
hurried to the furthest side of their dais; standing with arms arched
over their heads, as if for a dive; others menacing us with clubs and
spears; and one, an old man with a bamboo trellis on his head forming
a sort of arbor for his hair, planted himself full before the tent,
stretching behind him a wide plaited sling.

Upon this hostile display, Samoa dropped his oar, and brought his
piece to bear upon the old man, who, by his attitude, seemed to
menace us with the fate of the great braggart of Gath. But I quickly
knocked down the muzzle of his musket, and forbade the slightest
token of hostility; enjoining it upon my companions, nevertheless, to
keep well on their guard.

We now ceased rowing, and after a few minutes' uproar in the canoe,
they ran to the steering-paddles, and forcing round their craft
before the wind, rapidly ran away from us. With all haste we set our
sail, and pulling also at our oars, soon overtook them, determined
upon coming into closer communion.

CHAPTER XL
Sire And Sons

Seeing flight was useless, the Islanders again stopped their canoe,
and once more we cautiously drew nearer; myself crying out to them
not to be fearful; and Samoa, with the odd humor of his race,
averring that he had known every soul of them from his infancy.

We approached within two or three yards; when we paused, which
somewhat allayed their alarm. Fastening a red China handkerchief to
the blade of our long mid-ship oar, I waved it in the air. A lively
clapping of hands, and many wild exclamations.

While yet waving the flag, I whispered to Jarl to give th