took my
seat on it, and with might and main using my paddle, I worked on my
rough canoe towards the schooner.

Now commenced the most dangerous part of the enterprise, as I drew out
from the point and became exposed to the view of the people on shore.
Every now and then I gave a hasty glance over my shoulder to ascertain
if I were followed.

For a long time no one observed me. I had nearly gained a position by
which the schooner must pass, when, to my dismay, I saw a large canoe
putting off from the shore. If I could not gain the side of the
schooner before she reached me, I was undone.

Again I took to my paddle, and urged on the slow-moving machine towards
the approaching vessel; still the canoe was rapidly drawing near. Every
instant I expected to find an arrow sticking in my body. The thought
made me redouble my efforts.

On came the schooner. I shouted out, "Have mercy on an unfortunate
Englishman!" I saw many swarthy faces on her forecastle. I thought
that I might not be understood. What was my joy then to see her brail
up her sails, for she had a leading wind, and lower her boat!

The boat approached me. I leaped into her just as a shower of arrows
was sent flying after me. Most of them fell short, but some struck the
boat. Those on board the schooner seeing this, instantly let fly a
volley of musketry at my pursuers, and made them pull back with no
little rapidity towards the shore. The moment my eye had time to look
about the vessel, I thought that I recognised her. I was not mistaken;
she was Newman's schooner, and Newman himself was standing on the
quarter-deck, not as I had for so long known him, but in dress and
appearance like an officer. He, of course, did not know me. How should
he? I was thin and haggard with care and anxiety. Of my seaman's
clothes but a small portion now remained, and the few garments I had
were made of the native cloth, but had been torn in my run among the
trees, and afterwards almost destroyed in the water. Altogether, I was
a miserable figure.

I resolved not to make myself known to my old friend, but still I was
anxious to guard him against the treachery of the natives. Seeing that
I appeared to wish to speak to him, he sent for me aft to give an
account of myself. I had not talked five minutes when he exclaimed, "I
am quite certain I know that voice and mode of expression. Who are you,
my man?"

I at once told him. He grasped my hand cordially, and