from its sharp bow, and the spear-heads of the savages glancing
in the beams of the rising sun. Perfect silence was maintained on both
sides; and we could hear the hissing water, and see the frowning eyes of
the warriors, as they came rushing on. When about twenty yards distant,
five or six of the savages in the bow rose, and laying aside their
paddles, took up their spears. Jack and Peterkin raised their oars,
while, with a feeling of madness whirling in my brain, I grasped my
paddle and prepared for the onset. But before any of us could strike a
blow, the sharp prow of the war-canoe struck us like a thunderbolt on
the side and hurled us into the sea!

What occurred after this I cannot tell, for I was nearly drowned; but
when I recovered from the state of insensibility into which I had been
thrown, I found myself stretched on my back, bound hand and foot,
between Jack and Peterkin, in the bottom of the large canoe.

In this condition we lay the whole day, during which time the savages
only rested one hour. When night came they rested again for another
hour, and appeared to sleep just as they sat. But we were neither
unbound nor allowed to speak to each other during the voyage, nor was a
morsel of food or a draught of water given to us. For food, however, we
cared little; but we would have given much for a drop of water to cool
our parched lips. And we would have been glad, too, had they loosened
the cords that bound us; for they were tightly fastened, and occasioned
us much pain. The air, also, was unusually hot--so much so that I felt
convinced that a storm was brewing. This also added to our sufferings.
However, these were at length relieved by our arrival at the island from
which we had fled.

While we were being led ashore, we caught a glimpse of Avatea, who was
seated in the hinder part of the canoe. She was not fettered in any
way. Our captors now drove us before them towards the hut of Tararo, at
which we speedily arrived, and found the chief seated with an expression
on his face that boded us no good. Our friend the teacher stood beside
him, with a look of anxiety on his mild features.

"How comes it," said Tararo, turning to the teacher, "that these youths
have abused our hospitality?"

"Tell him," replied Jack, "that we have not abused his hospitality, for
his hospitality has not been extended to us. I came to the island to
deliver Avatea, and my only regret is that I have failed to do so.