as right in our teeth, and it was one of those chopping, angry seas, in
which it is so difficult to row. Still the chances seemed in our favour,
but when we came within a hundred yards of the point, the active savages
were already dashing into the water, and we all feared that within five
minutes' time we should have a score of the infuriated wretches around us.
If so our doom was sealed, for these savages, unlike the feeble swimmers
of civilized countries, are, if anything, more formidable antagonists in
the water than when on the land. It was all a trial of strength; our
natives pulled till their oars bent again, and the crowd of swimmers shot
through the water, despite its roughness, with fearful rapidity.

By the time we had reached the headland, the savages were spread right
across our course. Our rowers got out their knives and held them ready
between their teeth, and I seized the boat-hook. We were all aware that if
they succeeded in intercepting us, they would practise upon us the
manoeuvre which proved so fatal to many a boat's crew in these seas. They
would grapple the oars, and, seizing hold of the gunwale, capsize the
boat, and then we should be entirely at their mercy.

After a few breathless moments I discerned Mow-Mow. The athletic islander,
with his tomahawk between his teeth, was dashing the water before him till
it foamed again. He was the nearest to us, and in another instant he would
have seized one of the oars. Even at the moment I felt horror at the act I
was about to commit; but it was no time for pity or compunction, and with
true aim, and exerting all my strength, I dashed the boat-hook at him. It
struck him just below the throat, and forced him downwards. I had no time
to repeat the blow, but I saw him rise to the surface in the wake of the
boat, and never shall I forget the ferocious expression of his
countenance.

Only one other of the savages reached the boat. He seized the gunwale, but
the knives of our rowers so mauled his wrists that he was forced to quit
his hold, and the next minute we were past them all, and in safety. The
strong excitement which had thus far kept me up, now left me, and I fell
back fainting into the arms of Karakoee.

* * * * * * * * * *

The circumstances connected with my most unexpected escape may be very
briefly stated. The captain of an Australian vessel being in distress for
men in these remote seas, had put into Nukuheva in order t