Muriel shrank back terror-stricken at the sight, as they drew nearer and nearer.

But Felix, holding his breath hard, grew somewhat less nervous as the men approached the reef.

He had seen enough of Polynesian life before now to feel sure these people were not upon the war-path.

Whatever their ultimate intentions toward the castaways might be, their immediate object seemed friendly and good-humored.

The boats, though large, were not regular war-canoes; the men, instead of brandishing their spears, and lunging out with them over the edge in threatening attitudes, held them erect in their hands at rest, like standards; they were laughing and talking, not crying their war-cry.