We must hide if they land here, which I earnestly hope they will not do." I was greatly alarmed at Jack's speech, but I confess I thought less of what he said than of the earnest, anxious manner in which he said it, and it was with very uncomfortable feelings that Peterkin and I followed him quickly into the woods.
"How unfortunate," said I, as we gained the shelter of the bushes, "that we have forgotten our arms." "It matters not," said Jack; "here are clubs enough and to spare." As he spoke, he laid his hand on a bundle of stout poles of various sizes, which Peterkin's ever-busy hands had formed, during our frequent visits to the cliff, for no other purpose, apparently, than that of having something to do.
We each selected a stout club according to our several tastes, and lay down behind a rock, whence we could see the canoes approach, without ourselves being seen.

At first we made an occasional remark on their appearance, but after they entered the lagoon, and drew near the beach, we ceased to speak, and gazed with intense interest at the scene before us.
We now observed that the foremost canoe was being chased by the other, and that it contained a few women and children, as well as men,--perhaps forty souls altogether; while the canoe which pursued it contained only men.

They seemed to be about the same in number, but were better armed, and had the appearance of being a war party.

Both crews were paddling with all their might, and it seemed as if the pursuers exerted themselves to overtake the natives ere they could land.

In this, however, they failed.