ward
brought up some tumblers and two or three bottles of rum. The chiefs'
eyes glistened as the liquor was poured out, and each swallowed a half
tumbler of the spirit with an air of the deepest satisfaction.

"That is the present they like best," the captain said; "and I suppose I
had better give them some for consumption on shore. At any rate it will
keep them in a good temper until Ryan is back again." Accordingly two
bottles of rum were presented to the leading chief, a bottle to the
three next in rank, and two or three bottles among the others. The great
canoe was hailed, the natives again took their places in it, accompanied
by the first officer, and the boat then started for the shore. Some of
the smaller craft now came alongside, and the process of barter was
again commenced. Yams, bread-fruit, and other products of the island
were obtained for the use of the ship in exchange for beads, empty
bottles, and small mirrors, while the passengers succeeded in obtaining
many curiously carved weapons, calabashes, woven cloths, and other
mementoes of their visit. Only two or three of the canoes were allowed
alongside at a time, and a vigilant look-out was maintained to see that
the others did not approach the ship. The captain walked restlessly up
and down the poop, constantly turning his glass upon the shore.

An hour after the great canoe had reached it he exclaimed in a tone of
intense satisfaction, "There is Ryan coming down to the beach. Thank
heaven he is safe!" The first-mate was seen to take his place in a small
canoe, which at once rowed off to the ship. The captain shook him
heartily by the hand as he stepped on deck. "Thank heaven you have got
back safely, Ryan! it has been a hazardous business, and I shall take
care to let the owners know how you have risked your life by going
ashore in their service. Well, how have you succeeded?"

"I found a grand pine growing within thirty or forty yards of the water,
about a quarter of a mile beyond that point to the left. As I expected,
the natives had no idea of using the axes for such a purpose. When I
left them a party were piling wood round the foot of the tree, and I
have no doubt they will soon get it down in their own way. I suppose
they will waste ten or twelve feet at the base, but that is of no
consequence, for the tree is long enough and to spare to make us a
fair-sized mainmast."

"That is right; and as it is so close to the water we can send a boat to
se