d not forbear a smile at this intelligence, imparted with the most
perfect naivete, for it almost appeared as though the man had divined my
intention to make this second gift.

And now occurred a rather remarkable coincidence; for while the display
of native skill was in full swing the trumpets were sounded, giving
warning of another approaching raid. The apes, it appeared, were
heading for a point about half a mile to the westward of the spot where
we were assembled, and toward that spot the archers, twenty in number,
including those who had been entrusted with the new bows, set off at top
speed, followed by their unarmed comrades, who merely delayed long
enough to collect such blocks of coral and rock of suitable size as
happened to be in their way. As for me, I announced my intention to
attack the brutes from the boat, if I should be in time to intercept
them; but Bowata delayed his departure long enough to beg me to allow
him and his men to deal, unaided, with the enemy, as every victory
gained by his people increased their confidence in themselves. But, he
added, if any of the apes should escape and attempt to swim back to
their own island, I should be rendering good service by destroying them
on the way. The sound common sense of both these contentions I
instantly recognised.

Keeping well off-shore, that we might be safely out of range of stray
arrows, Billy and I arrived, in the boat, off the scene of the impending
struggle, while the leading ape was still a good three hundred yards
from the beach, and I was glad to see that the blacks were keeping cool
and withholding their fire, instead of wasting their arrows by
discharging them prematurely. The apes were swimming easily, and
keeping so well together that it was only with difficulty I was able to
count them. Billy and I were agreed that they totalled sixteen, which,
if I had understood Bowata aright, was far and away the most formidable
number that had ever been encountered; and I looked to our rifles and
edged the boat in a little nearer the shore, to be ready for possible
eventualities; then, as the first arrow was discharged, I brought the
boat to the wind and hove her to.

That first shot was a miss; but the second shot scored, for I saw the
leading ape shake his head angrily, and go through the motion of
plucking an arrow from his neck; he swam a few yards farther, however;
then he suddenly flung up his arms and rolled over in the water,
motionl