This he thought to be a favourable opportunity for executing his purpose.

Accordingly, the boats were disposed in such a manner as appeared most likely to be successful in intercepting the canoes.

Notwithstanding this, the Indians in the canoe which was paddled exerted themselves with so much vigour, at the first apprehension of danger, that they escaped to the nearest land.

The other canoe sailed on without discerning the English, till she was in the midst of them; but no sooner had she discovered them, than the people on board struck their sail, and plied their paddles so briskly, as to outrun the boat by which they were pursued.

Being within hearing, Tupia called to them to come alongside, with assurances that they should not in any degree be hurt or injured.
They trusted, however, more to their own paddles than to Tupia's promises, and continued to flee from our navigators with all their power.