They paddled for two days longer, working steadily all day and far into the night, and passed one or two islands.
In the course of the next day's passage they went within a short distance of another, and were horrified at seeing, from the narrow bay, a large war canoe put out, and make rapidly towards them.
They had already talked over what would be their best course in such a contingency, and proceeded at once to put their plans into execution.

They had, at starting, taken with them a supply of the paints used in their decoration; and with these they proceeded to touch up the coloring on their faces and white shirts, and on the strange ornaments which had been affixed to their heads.

Two of them now took their place, one at the stern and the other at the bow of the canoe.

The other two stood up, and paddled very quietly and slowly along; and as the canoe approached rapidly, the four broke into a song--one of the old Devonshire catches, which they had often sung together on board ship.
The war canoe, as it approached, gradually ceased paddling.

The aspect of this small boat, paddling quietly along and taking no heed of their presence, filled its occupants with surprise.