his hand,
seized hold of me, and I thought he was about to dash my brains out with
his weapon. Others, in like manner caught my companions. I thought my
last moment had come, and expected every instant to see my friends
struck to the ground. No sooner had we jumped down than they began to
rake out the fire and to pull down the burning portions, though they
were only just in time to save the hut from destruction. Immediately a
number of them rushed up, and began to bring out our stores of sago and
dried mollusc, our cocoa-nuts, and other articles of food. They seemed
well pleased with their prize. These they quickly divided among
themselves.

The big man with a mop head now gave certain orders to several of his
companions, who hurried off into the wood. They soon returned with some
fine pieces of ratan, with which they immediately bound our arms behind
us, and our legs so close together, that we could with difficulty walk.
This being done, they all sat down and began to consume our provisions,
a large portion of which they quickly devoured. On seeing water in one
of our shells, they made signs to Macco to ask where we got it from, and
ordered him to lead a party to the spot. Going to their canoes, they
returned with a number of long jars and small casks, made of the thick
ends of large bamboos. The savages had apparently touched at our island
for the sake of getting food or water. Having supplied themselves with
this necessary article, they unceremoniously dragged us on board their
canoes. Oliver and I were taken to one, and poor Macco to the other.
He looked very disconsolate when he saw that he was to be separated from
us. I confess I felt very uncomfortable at the thoughts of being in
their power, for I had heard that they were not only fierce and
treacherous, but addicted to cannibalism, if they were not regular
cannibals. Still Oliver and I agreed that we would endeavour to show no
signs of fear. They seemed very well satisfied with the provisions with
which our stores had supplied them. Before shoving off, however, a
party of them again landed, and went to the cocoa-nut grove, of the
produce of which they brought back a quantity. They now, getting out
their paddles, began to glide away from the island where we had spent so
many weeks. Looking back at it, we admired the numberless beauties it
possessed--beauties which no change of season in that latitude could
possibly mar. There was one enemy, ho