t is as likely as not some of their canoes may be coming
out in the night to see if we are to be caught napping."

"It is horrid," Kate Mitford said, as she with her sister, Marion, and
several of the younger passengers stood together that evening on the
poop looking towards the shore. The young moon was sinking in the west,
the stars shone with great brilliancy, and the water was as smooth as
glass. The outline of the palms could be made out against the sky, and
in several places the light of fires could be perceived, and the
stillness of the evening was broken by the hum of distant voices. "It is
really a shame that we cannot go ashore. I am sure the savages looked
civil and friendly, and it would be delightful to wander about in such a
wood as that."

Two or three voices were raised in assent.

"Have you heard the little story of the spider and the fly, Miss Kate?"
Mr. Atherton said, moving across from the other side of the deck, where
he was smoking a cigar. "In that case, you know, it was the prettiest
little bower that ever you did espy, and perhaps the fly admired it just
as much as you admire that grove ashore. The result of a visit would be
identical in both cases. Those on board other ships have been taken in
by the peaceful appearance of the natives and the loveliness of the
islands, and the result was fatal to them. Personally, I should feel
much more comfortable if I saw those savages putting out in a body in
their canoes to attack the ship than I do now while they are keeping up
this pretence of friendliness. An open danger one can meet, but when you
know that treachery is intended, but have no idea what form it will take
or when the mask of friendship will be thrown off, it is trying to the
nerves. Fortunately we know their character, and may hope to be ready
when the danger comes. Still the waiting is trying."

"And you really feel that, Mr. Atherton?" Marion Renshaw asked.

"I do indeed, Miss Renshaw. We may get away without trouble; but if so,
it will be solely because the natives see that we are prepared for them
and are not to be taken by surprise. Seeing our crippled state, my own
opinion is, that the natives will not let us go off without making at
least one attempt to surprise us."

Mr. Atherton spoke strongly, for he thought that it was possible that
some of the youngsters might, unless thoroughly roused to a sense of
danger, do something foolish and rash. His words had the effect desired.