e naked warriors sank before it in heaps.

Now from seaward came the crashing discharges of heavy guns, followed by
renewed shrieks and cries, as the _Elizabeth_ and the _Good Adventure_
poured their broadsides into the closely-packed canoes.

"God grant," muttered Cavendish, "that those other vessels of ours may
keep the canoes off; for if these fellows are reinforced, we can never
hold out against them."

But nobody had time to see how the other action was progressing, for all
were too busy with the work in hand, which was the task of defending
their own lives.

Twice had the gallant little band of Englishmen driven the savages back
over the barricade formed by the ships' guns, and twice had the enemy,
led by the tall savage, forced their way in again.

At last, seeing clearly that all hinged upon this man's downfall,
Cavendish made many strenuous efforts to reach him; but for some time he
failed, owing to the press. At length, however, an opening occurred,
and Cavendish, rushing forward, stood face to face with his arch-enemy.

The chief was a man of mighty stature, and evidently of enormous
strength, standing nearly seven feet high; and at first sight the
disparity between the two adversaries seemed enormous. But what the
English captain lacked in height he made up in strength and agility.

Sword in hand he circled round and round his gigantic foe, watching like
a cat for an opportunity to strike a deadly blow.

But the savage took the initiative, and, raising his spear, darted it at
the Englishman with all his force. Cavendish, however, was not to be
caught so easily, and, taking the shaft of the spear with the edge of
his sword, he parried the thrust, and the weapon merely ripped his shirt
instead of piercing his body.

Before the native could recover himself, and guard his body, the English
captain thrust with all his strength, quite unprepared for the wily
savage's next move.

Seemingly careless of the wound that he inflicted upon himself, the
savage caught the keen blade of his adversary in his left hand, and,
although the weapon lacerated his hand in a fearful manner, he succeeded
in wresting it from the captain's grasp, while, at the same time
flinging away his spear, he seized Cavendish round the lower part of the
body, lifted him clear of the ground, and dashed him to the earth,
himself falling with his antagonist.

The pair rolled upon the ground, each striving to obtain a grip of the
other