lves. The blacks, seeing that the strangers were much superior to
them in numbers, did not advance. They were savage-looking fellows,
with their hair tied up in a huge bunch at the backs of their heads, and
destitute of any clothing with the exception of a short kilt of matting
tied round their waists. They appeared rather surprised than alarmed,
and after watching the strangers, apparently to see what they would do,
for some minutes, they darted off among the trees, and were hid from
sight.

"We will get the boats into the water and be ready to shove off, in case
those fellows should come down in overwhelming numbers; for though we
might keep them at bay, I am anxious to avoid bloodshed," said Green.

Tom agreed with him, and the men immediately began to launch the boats;
but the tide had fallen, and it was no easy matter, as they had to shove
them over the rough beach for some distance. While they were thus
engaged, loud shrieks and shouts reached their ears, proceeding out of
the forest, and in another minute a whole host of blacks armed with bows
and arrows, spears and clubs, poured into the open, and came rushing
down towards them. It seemed scarcely possible to get the boats afloat
before the savages would be upon them. Green waited till the last
moment, then, calling the men, drew them up on the beach, and ordered
them to present their muskets, but not to fire till he should give the
word. The blacks, who apparently were well acquainted with the power of
firearms, on seeing the force opposed to them, not only halted, but drew
back several paces, bending their bows, however, as if they were about
to shoot. Green, on seeing this, made signs to them to retire, pointing
at the same time to his men's muskets, to let the savages understand
that they only waited his command to fire. The blacks evidently
understood him, for they at once relaxed their bow-strings, turning
their heads over their shoulders as if about to beat a retreat. Just
then, however, a chief made his appearance and began to harangue them,
urging them, it seemed, to attack the strangers who had ventured to land
on their shore. The moment was a critical one. Green saw that he might
be compelled to order his men to fire, and should the savages have
sufficient courage to rush out and attack them before they had time to
reload, they must be clubbed or speared. He knew, too, that the blacks'
arrows were poisoned, and that every person wounded b