The foremost canoe made for the beach close beneath the rocks behind which we were concealed.

Their short paddles flashed like meteors in the water, and sent up a constant shower of spray.

The foam curled from the prow, and the eyes of the rowers glistened in their black faces as they strained every muscle of their naked bodies; nor did they relax their efforts till the canoe struck the beach with a violent shock; then, with a shout of defiance, the whole party sprang, as if by magic, from the canoe to the shore.

Three women, two of whom carried infants in their arms, rushed into the woods; and the men crowded to the water's edge, with stones in their hands, spears levelled, and clubs brandished, to resist the landing of their enemies.
The distance between the two canoes had been about half a mile, and, at the great speed they were going, this was soon passed.

As the pursuers neared the shore, no sign of fear or hesitation was noticeable.