point before they had gained it, and there they stood shrieking,
shouting, and gesticulating at us. We pulled away in the wind's eye,
knowing that we should thus have a better chance of keeping ahead of our
pursuers. They had not yet, however, given up the chase. We saw them
at length coming through the channel urged on by their paddles. They
could thus move but slowly. Once outside, however, they might again
hoist their sails, and, by standing first on one tack and then on the
other, come up with us.

As we got away from the island we found the wind blowing steadily from
the southward, while in shore it still came from the westward. This
gave us a great advantage.

"We'll hoist the sail, lads," said Mr Griffiths, "and see if a
whale-boat can beat a double canoe."

The men, who were streaming from every pore, gladly obeyed. The mast
was set up in an instant, the sail hoisted, and "_Young Hopeful_," as
the doctor called our boat, glided rapidly over the dancing waters.

We had made good way before we saw the sails of the canoes once more
hoisted, standing, as far as we could make out, for the north-west.

Now we had got the wind, it would take them a long time to come up with
us. The wind was too fresh to allow the oars to be of any use. We
trusted, however, to the good providence of God to carry us clear. All
that we would do was to sit quiet and hope that the wind would continue
steady. We could see the canoes in the north-east hull down, and we
hoped that we might keep ahead till night should hide us from their
sight. The mate said he was sure that they would not then attempt to
follow us farther.

"But, I say, is any one hungry?" exclaimed Horner. "We've had no
breakfast, you'll remember."

We had all been too excited to think of eating, but the mention of food
excited our appetites, and the mate told the doctor to serve out
provisions.

The occupation of eating assisted to pass the time, and to raise our
spirits. The mate told us that he and the doctor had determined to
steer for the Pellew Islands, the inhabitants of which, though
uncivilised, were supposed to be of a mild disposition, and likely to
treat us kindly. Even had we intended to steer for Guam, the canoes in
that direction would have prevented us doing so.

From the Pellew Islands we should have a long voyage round to Manilla.
When once there we should be sure of finding European vessels on board
of which we should be able to ob