establish an intercourse with the natives, as he had done in
Borneo.

Kalong, on being asked, expressed his readiness, provided that we all
went well-armed.

"I'll join you," said Blyth; "I am sure Captain Haiselden will not
object."

The next point to be arranged was, in the event of our finding my
father, where should we rejoin the brig.

Captain Bingley, after some discussion, promised, concluding that
Captain Haiselden would agree with him, to run down the coast, and to
stand off and on, so as to be ready to take us on board. The appearance
of the two vessels would, he hoped, produce a favourable effect on the
natives. Uncle Jack thanked him heartily, and agreed that the plan was
the best that could be devised. I had hoped that Captain Bingley, on
hearing of the possibility of my father being in the neighbourhood,
would have marched with our whole force to rescue him, but he observed
that so large a party might make the natives suspect that we had come as
enemies, whereas a small force would show that we had no hostile
intentions, and induce them to behave in a friendly manner towards us.

Blyth now told Ned to inform the natives, through Kalong, that we should
be ready to purchase all the sago they could obtain, as well as a small
quantity of cocoa-nuts, yams, and other roots or fruits, promising to
call for them before we left the coast. The natives, who seemed fully
to enter into the spirit of trade, were highly satisfied, and undertook
to do as they were advised.

Blyth said that if we could open up a trade with them it might lead to a
commercial intercourse with other tribes along the coast, and
ultimately, he hoped, to the civilisation of the country; observing, "If
we can show the natives that we wish to be friendly, and treat them with
justice, we shall render them service while we benefit ourselves."

As Captain Bingley was anxious to get back before nightfall, his and the
boatswain's boats started on their return, leaving Uncle Jack, Blyth,
and me with the three men to carry out our proposed undertaking.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

We felt pretty well satisfied of the friendly intentions of the natives,
but Uncle Jack considered that it would be prudent to be on our guard,
and directed us all to keep close together. We feared, from the long
discussion held by the natives, that we should find a difficulty in
obtaining guides, none of them being willing to encounter the dangers
they expected to meet