While this scene was passing, the strangers began to show signs of impatience, and a voice from the Chamois repeatedly hailed us to accelerate our movements.

My course was quickly decided.  The only obstacle to be encountered was the possibility of Yillah’s alarm at being suddenly borne into my prow.  For this event I now sought to prepare her.  I informed the damsel that Aleema had been dispatched on a long errand to Oroolia; leaving to my care, for the present, the guardianship of the lovely Yillah; and that therefore, it was necessary to carry her tent into my own canoe, then waiting to receive it.

This intelligence she received with the utmost concern; and not knowing to what her perplexity might lead, I thought fit to transport her into the Chamois, while yet overwhelmed by the announcement of my intention.

Quitting her retreat, I apprised Jarl of my design; and then, no more delay!

At bottom, the tent was attached to a light framework of bamboos; and from its upper corners, four cords, like those of a marquee, confined it to the dais.  These, Samoa’s knife soon parted; when lifting the light tent, we speedily transferred it to the Chamois; a wild yell going up from the Islanders, which drowned the faint cries of the maiden.  But we heeded not the din.  Toss in the fruit, hanging from the altar-prow!  It was done; and then running up our sail, we glided away;—­Chamois, tent, hostages, and all.  Rushing to the now vacant stern of their canoe, the Islanders once more lifted up their hands and their voices in curses.

A suitable distance gained, we paused to fling overboard the arms we had taken; and Jarl proceeded to liberate the hostages.

Meanwhile, I entered the tent, and by many tokens, sought to allay the maiden’s alarm.  Thus engaged, violent plunges were heard:  our prisoners taking to the sea to regain their canoe.  All dripping, they were received by their brethren with wild caresses.

From something now said by the captives, the rest seemed suddenly inspirited with hopes of revenge; again wildly shaking their spears, just before picked up from the sea.  With great clamor and confusion they soon set their mat-sail; and instead of sailing southward for Tedaidee, or northward for Amma their home, they steered straight after us, in our wake.

Foremost in the prow stood three; javelins poised for a dart; at intervals, raising a yell.

Did they mean to pursue me?  Full in my rear they came on, baying like hounds on their game.  Yillah trembled at their cries.  My own heart beat hard with undefinable dread.  The corpse of Aleema seemed floating before:  its avengers were raging behind.

But soon these phantoms departed.  For very soon it appeared that in vain the pagans pursued.  Their craft, our fleet Chamois outleaped.  And farther and farther astern dropped the evil-boding canoe, till at last but a speck; when a great swell of the sea surged up before it, and it was seen no more.  Samoa swore that it must have swamped, and gone down.  But however it was, my heart lightened apace.  I saw none but ourselves on the sea:  I remembered that our keel left no track as it sailed.