Our rowers got out their knives and held them ready between their teeth, and I seized the boat-hook.

We were all aware that if they succeeded in intercepting us they would practise upon us the manoeuvre which has proved so fatal to many a boat's crew in these seas.
They would grapple the oars, and seizing hold of the gunwhale, capsize the boat, and then we should be entirely at their mercy.
After a few breathless moments discerned Mow-Mow.

The athletic islander, with his tomahawk between his teeth, was dashing the water before him till it foamed again.

He was the nearest to us, and in another instant he would have seized one of the oars.

Even at the moment I felt horror at the act I was about to commit; but it was no time for pity or compunction, and with a true aim, and exerting all my strength, I dashed the boat-hook at him.