Tom; "but one thing I know, that we
should be thankful for God's mercy in bringing us thus far in safety."

The strength of all the party was revived by the food and water. By
Tom's advice they refilled the casks and cocoa-nut bottles. He then
proposed that they should push off into the bay, and try and catch some
fish. Two of the men replied that they had had food enough, and
preferred remaining in the shade under the trees; the rest, however,
agreed to accompany him. Some crabs and shell-fish, as before, served
them as bait.

They had been fishing for some time with good success, and were
contemplating returning to the shore to cook the fish and to rest for
the night, when they caught sight among the trees, at some distance from
the beach, of several savages, who had apparently been watching them.
These were joined by others, who began flourishing their weapons and
shouting. The two men who had been left on shore, on hearing their
voices, started up, and, observing their menacing attitude, ran towards
the beach. The crew of the boat, seeing the danger of their companions,
pulled in as fast as they could bend to their oars, in the hope of
rescuing them. The distance was considerable. Neither of the poor
fellows could swim. They rushed into the water up to their necks. The
natives came on yelling towards them. Long before the boat could get up
to them they were dragged back, and in another instant dispatched by the
clubs of the savages.

"It's too late, lads!" cried old Tom, who saw what had occurred; "we
shall be treated as they have been if we let the savages get hold of us.
We must make the best of our way out of the bay. It's a mercy that we
have got the water and food."

There was indeed no time to be lost, for at that moment another party of
savages were seen bringing several canoes down to the beach. Old Tom
told Harry to take the helm, while he and the three remaining men pulled
away out to sea. Happily, just as they got near the passage through the
reef, a breeze sprang up, and they were able to hoist the sail. At that
instant four canoes were seen paddling out of the bay. It still seemed
doubtful whether they would escape. The breeze, however, freshened, and
the whale-boat darting ahead, soon distanced her pursuers.

Tom urged his companions not to despair.

"We may still reach another island where the natives will treat us more
kindly than these have done," he observed.

Harry thought