Instantly we sailed for them; but after shooting to and fro for a time, and standing up and gazing at us, the Islanders retreated behind the headland.

Hardly were they out of sight, when from many a shore roundabout, other proas pushed off.
Soon the water all round us was enlivened by fleets of canoes, darting hither and thither like frighted water-fowls.

Presently they all made for one island.
From their actions we argued that these people could have had but little or no intercourse with whites; and most probably knew not how to account for our appearance among them.

Desirous, therefore, of a friendly meeting, ere any hostile suspicions might arise, we pointed our craft for the island, whither all the canoes were now hastening.
Whereupon, those which had not yet reached their destination, turned and fled; while the occupants of the proas that had landed, ran into the groves, and were lost to view.
Crossing the distinct outer line of the isle's shadow on the water, we gained the shore; and gliding along its margin, passing canoe after canoe, hauled up on the silent beach, which otherwise seemed entirely innocent of man.
A dilemma.

But I decided at last upon disembarking Jarl and Samoa, to seek out and conciliate the natives.