clear channel between it and the
shore. The savages had left the beach and were rushing towards the
point which they knew we must pass; probably, as we supposed, to enjoy
the satisfaction of seeing us overtaken and massacred. As the mate
altered our course to steer for the channel, we found the wind on our
starboard bow; should it shift a point or two more, it would come right
ahead, and even the canoes, though they sail closer to the wind than any
ordinary craft, would be unable to get through it; but they were already
within one hundred fathoms of us, and coming on rapidly. I counted
seven of them. One took the lead of the rest, and was coming up hand
over hand with us. We could see the warriors on the raised deck dancing
and leaping and flourishing their clubs, and hear them shouting and
shrieking like their companions on shore. I looked anxiously at the
channel. Soper was pulling bow oar. The mate told Horner to take it,
and directed Soper to keep a look-out for reefs ahead. The leading
canoe was now within fifty fathoms astern.

"Give them a shot, doctor," said the mate; "but fire over their heads.
It will show them that we are armed, but I don't want to kill any one."

"Ay, ay!" answered the doctor; and shouting to the savages to make them
understand what he was about to do, he fired. The first shot seemed to
have no effect. Still the big canoe came on. We were as far from the
passage as we were from them. Our men were straining every nerve, and
could make the boat go no faster. The doctor waited till I had reloaded
the first musket. He again fired, still aiming high, as the mate told
him to do. The next instant down came the yard and sail of the canoe.
The bullet must have cut the slings right in two.

"It was a chance shot, and a fortunate one," said the doctor, as he saw
its effect. The canoe still glided on, but the next, unable to alter
her course, ran right into her, and the others, also coming up, were
thrown into confusion. Our men cheered as they saw what had happened.
The channel was reached before our pursuers could get clear of each
other. Then on they came again. Before, however, they had come far,
the wind shifted a point and then blew right ahead. First one lowered
her sail, and then another and another, while we pulled through the
channel, Soper keeping a bright look-out for sunken rocks. I caught
sight of the savages on shore rushing along the beach, but we had passed
the