Inside it were two good canoes with their paddles, floating and tied to the stumps of trees by fibre ropes.

Instantly I made up my mind that I would paddle to the island and investigate.

Just as I was about to step into one of the canoes the light was cut off.

Looking up I saw that a man was crouching in the door-place of the boat-house in order to enter, and paused guiltily.
"Friend-from-the-Sea" (that was the name that these islanders had given to me), said the voice of Marama, "say--what are you doing here ?" "I am about to take a row on the lake, Chief," I answered carelessly.
"Indeed, Friend.

Have we then treated you so badly that you are tired of life ?" "What do you mean ?" I asked.
"Come out into the sunlight, Friend, and I will explain to you." I hesitated till I saw Marama lifting the heavy wooden spear he carried and remembered that I was unarmed.