Year: 1879

signs.


But j had no faith in the scoundrel,
and in fact, was well enough convinced
that he was the master-spirit and insti-
gator of the whole treacherous business.
assured him that should hold him
responsible, If any attack were made,
and should take care that the first bull
let should find its way to his heart. He
quailed at this threat, and was more
profuse than ever in his protestations of
innocence of any completely in the
kings designs. He said that the two
men left at the water-side had already
been secured, without boldly injury to
either of them. One native had been
slightly wounded by the musket which
we had heard fired.


/ had reason to think his statement
was true, as we had listened in vain for
a second report, though both men were
armed. In moment like this, fraught
with such peril, a hundred thoughts and
impracticable plans forced themselves
upon my mind, while 1 inwardly cursed
my own folly for having so blindly
placed myself in the power of these
treacherous savages.


But where, meanwhile, was the shipp
If she stood on, as supposed she would,
she must soon open us to view, though
the surprise of the two men who were
visible at the landing place had been
effected so quietly, as perhaps not to ex-
cite any alarm on board.


The Irishman, who kept himself we'll
informed by the scouts who were con-
stantly running back and forth, told me
that the ship had gone on the other
tack and was three or four miles off
the land.


This, though improbable, might possi-
bly, be true; had no means of settling
the point, and now demanded of him
what he, or the king, would have us do
as we could not stand thus at bay forever.
If they did not soon make an attack,
or come to some terms, should open
fire, and sell my life as dearly as
could. Besides my musket, carried a
| revolver in the breast of my shirt,
and Barney knew, as well as l, that his
| own life was doomed at the commence
ment of the fray.


He kept up now continuous jabber-
ing with the leading men of the crowd,
and, so far as could Judge, was en-
deavoring to work their courage up to q
sufficient pitch to make simultaneous
rush upon our little group, and take the
risk of single volley. Our great ad-
vantage lay in the fact that there was
not single gun among the whole popu-
lation, and the general feeling of dread
with which all firearms were regarded
by them. The attack upon us was de-
ferred because no one dared to be fore
most in it, and throw away his own
life for the benefit of the general
! cause.


1t was now their turn to open parley
with us, promising that we should be
well entertained, and that no harm
should befall us, if we would lodge all
night on shore in large house which
they pointed out to us. We had little
faith in their promises, but as our retreat
was fully cut off, we saw no way out of
the dilemma, but to pretend to be satis-
fled with them, and we moved on to-
wards the house, still keeping our guns
at the ready, and allowing no savages
to cut in ahead of us. They all followed
at a respectful distance, and thus we
backed into our prison, which was i'm
mediately closed upon US, and the doors
secured without.


AS the house was lightly built of bam-
boo, it would not have been difficult, at
any time, to force our way through the
broadside of it; but no one could get in
upon us without raising an alarm, as we
distributed ourselves, one near each
corner of the building.


There were cocoanuts hung up against
the posts, and other provisions in the
form of sweet paste, made in sheets
and rolled up like small sides of leather
so we were in no present danger from
hunger, even if our keepers failed to
bring us anything. Of course we should
fight, before we should starve; and if q
savage caprice should seize them to set
fire to the building, we must also, in
that case, break out and sell our lives
dearly.


1t was now past sundown, and as the
twilight in that part of the world i:
short, would very soon be dark. What
had been the fate of our two comrades