The canoes came alongside at racing pace, the natives uttering yells of joy.

The canoe had evidently been seen approaching the island, and preparations had been made to seize it, immediately on its arrival.
Ned held up in his hands the beads and pieces of cloth.

But the natives were too excited for pause or negotiation.

In an instant the boys were seized and placed on board the canoes, two in each.
They were tenderly handled, and were clearly objects of veneration rather than of hostility.

The moment that they were on board, the contents of the canoe were transferred to the large boat; and it was then cast adrift, and the two war boats, at full speed, made out through the passage.
Ned endeavored, in vain, to attract the attention of the leaders of the savages to his gestures; and to explain to them that there was a vessel, from which he had come, at a short distance off; and that, if they would accompany him thither, they would obtain large quantities of the beads and cloth which he showed them.