me shivering
and crouching away once more as if too much alarmed to go in.

"It is all right, Nat," said my uncle; "he is evidently a chief, and he
means that no one will dare go into the hut while his spear is stuck
there. We have made a friend."

All this time the savage was looking sharply from one to the other, as
if to make sure that we comprehended him; and then, seeing that we did,
he made signs for us to follow him, talking excitedly the while.

We walked with him to a grove of cocoa-nut trees, passing a number of
the people as we passed through, but no one attempted to follow us; and
after about a quarter of an hour's walk he led us to a roughly-built
palm-thatched shed, where we could hear the sounds of chopping and
hammering, and on entering we found, to our surprise, that the shed was
far larger than we had expected, and that in it were four men busy at
work making a boat similar to one that lay there evidently but lately
built.

Our new friend pointed to the finished boat, and we looked it over at
once to find that it was beautifully made and perfect, with its oars,
anchor, mast, and sail, and finished with such neatness that I began to
wonder what tools the man must use, while my wonder was increased upon
my uncle pointing out to me the fact that there was not a single nail in
the whole boat, which was entirely put together by means of wooden pegs,
and fastened with thin bands of rattan cane.

The black noticed our appreciation of the boat, and had we felt any
doubt before of his power, it was silenced at once, for, giving his
orders, the boat was half carried, half run down over the soft sand out
into the pure blue water, when he signed to us to enter, leaped in
afterwards, and we were run right out by the men.

The breeze was light, but strong enough for the boat, and the sail being
hoisted, away we went upon the long rollers, rising and falling so
easily that I could not help thinking how clever these islanders must
be.

"Why, Nat," said my uncle, "we ought to have waited until we came here,
for this boat is worth a dozen of the one I bought. It is so light and
buoyant, and suited to the seas we are on. It will hold quite as much
as our own, and be stronger and far easier to manage."

All this time the black was watching him intently, striving to
understand his words, but shaking his head in a disappointed manner from
time to time.

We had a fair trial of the boat, and became each minute b