, another midshipman, or apprentice rather, and I
formed part of her crew, while Mr Merton, our first officer, went in
charge of her, accompanied by some of the passengers.

It was a long, low, coral-formed island, with a white beach--a very
untempting spot for a habitation in that burning climate. When we
landed, Mr Merton told us to accompany him, leaving two other men in
the boat. We followed close after him, with the boat's stretchers in
our hands, proceeding along the beach, for the tent we had seen was some
little distance from where we had landed. We had got within a hundred
yards of it, when suddenly part of it was thrown back, and out there
rushed towards us two figures, whose frantic and threatening gestures
made us start back with no little surprise, if not with some slight
degree of apprehension. They were both tall, gaunt men, their hair was
long and matted, their eyes were starting out of their heads, and their
cheeks were hollow and shrivelled. They looked more like skeletons
covered with parchment than human beings. Their clothes were in rags,
and their large straw hats were in tatters, and, to increase their
strange appearance, they had covered themselves with long streamers of
dried seaweed, strings of shells, and wreaths of the feathers of wild
birds. Each of them flourished in his hand a piece of timber--a rib,
apparently, of a boat.

"Who are you, who dare to come and invade our territory?" exclaimed one,
advancing before the other. "Away--away--away! We are monarchs and
rulers here. This land is ours, won by our trusty swords and
battle-axes. Away, I say! or meet the consequences of your temerity."

I was at first puzzled to know who the people could be, but our mate at
once comprehended the true state of the case, and with great tact
endeavoured to calm the strangers instead of irritating them, as many
would have done.

"Don't be afraid that we are come to interfere with you, or to trespass
on your territories, most mighty sovereigns, as you undoubtedly are," he
answered, stopping short and holding up his hands. "Just hear what I
have to say. Lower your weapons, and let us hoist a flag of truce."

"Granted, granted. Spoke like a sensible man, most worthy ambassadors,"
exclaimed the person who had hitherto not said anything. And both,
lowering their clubs, stood still, gazing inquiringly at us. I had
never before seen the effect of a few calm words, and a steady,
determined loo