University of Virginia Library

2. CHAPTER II.

So much time had passed in the execution of the plan
of Unus, that the canoes were close under the cliffs, when
the governor and his party reached the wood that fringed
their summits, directly over the northern end of their line.
Even this extremity of their formation was a mile or two
to leeward of the cove, and all the craft, catamarans included,
were drifting still further south, under the influence
of the current. So long as this state of things continued,
there was nothing for the colonists to apprehend, since they
knew landing at any other spot than the cove was out of
the question. The strictest orders had been given for
every one to keep concealed, a task that was by no means
difficult, the whole plain being environed with woods, and
its elevation more than a thousand feet above the sea. In
short, nothing but a wanton exposure of the person, could
render it possible for one on the water to get a glimpse of
another on the heights above him.

The fleet of Waally presented an imposing sight. Not
only were his canoes large, and well filled with men, but
they were garnished with the usual embellishments of
savage magnificence. Feathers and flags, and symbols of
war and power, were waving and floating over the prows
of most of them, while the warriors they contained were
gay in their trappings. It was apparent, however, to the
members of the council, who watched every movement of
the fleet with the utmost vigilance, that their foes were
oppressed with doubts concerning the character of the
place they had ventured so far to visit. The smoke of the
Volcano was visible to them, beyond a doubt, and here

was a wall of rock interposed between them and the accomplishment
of their desire to land. In this last respect,
Rancocus Island offered a shore very different from that
of Vulcan's Peak. The first, in addition to the long, low
point so often mentioned, had everywhere a beach of some
sort or other; while, on the last, the waves of the Pacific
rose and fell as against a precipice, marking their power
merely by a slight discoloration of the iron-bound coast.
Those superstitious and ignorant beings naturally would
connect all these unusual circumstances with some supernatural
agencies; and Heaton early gave it as his opinion
that Waally, of whom he had some personal knowledge,
was hesitating, and doubtful of the course he ought to
pursue, on account of this feeling of superstition. When
this opinion was expressed, the governor suggested the expediency
of firing one of the carronades, under the supposition
that the roar of the gun, and most especially the
echo, of which there was one in particular that was truly
terrific, might have the effect to frighten away the whole
party. Heaton was in doubt about the result, for Waally
and his people knew something of artillery, though of
echoes they could not know anything at all. Nothing like
an echo, or indeed a hill, was to be found in the low
coral islands of their group, and the physical agents of
producing such sounds were absolutely wanting among
them. It might be that something like an echo had been
heard at Rancocus Island, but it must have been of a very
different calibre from that which Heaton and Mark were
in the habit of making for the amusement of the females,
by firing their fowling-pieces down the Stairs. As yet
neither of the guns had been fired from the proper point,
which was the outer battery, or that on the shelf of rock,
though a very formidable roaring had been made by the
report of the gun formerly fired, as an experiment to ascertain
how far it would command the entrance of the cove.
After a good deal of discussion, it was decided to try the
experiment, and Betts, who knew all about the means necessary
to produce the greatest reverberations, was despatched
to the shelf-battery with instructions to scale its
gun, by pointing it along the cliff and making all the
uproar he could.

This plan was carried out just as Waally had assembled
his chiefs around his own canoe, whither he had called
them by an order, to consult on the manner in which the
entire coast of the island ought to be examined, that a
landing might be effected. The report of the gun came
quite unexpectedly to all parties; the echo, which rolled
along the cliffs for miles, being absolutely terrific! Owing
to the woods and intervening rocks, the natives could see
no smoke, which added to their surprise, and was doubtless
one reason they did not, at first, comprehend the long,
cracking, thundering sounds that, as it might be, rolled
out towards them from the island. A cry arose that the
strange rocks were speaking, and that the Gods of the
place were angry. This was followed by a general and
confused flight; — the canoes, paddling away as if their
people were apprehensive of being buried beneath the
tumbling rocks. For half an hour nothing was seen but
frantic efforts to escape, nothing heard but the dip of the
paddle and the wash of its rise.

Thus far the plan of the governor had succeeded even
beyond his expectations. Could he get rid of these savages
without bloodshed, it would afford him sincere delight, it
being repugnant to all his feelings to sweep away rows of
such ignorant men before the murderous fire of his cannon.
While he and Heaton were congratulating each other on
the encouraging appearances, a messenger came down from
the Peak, where Bridget remained on the look-out, to report
that the boat had drifted in, and was getting close
under the cliffs, on the northern end of the island, which
was in fact coming close under the Peak itself. A signal
to push for the cove had been named to Juno, and Bridget
desired to know whether it ought to be made, else the boat
would shortly be too near in, to see it. The governor
thought the moment favourable, for the canoes were still
paddling in a body away from the spot whence the roar
had proceeded, and their course carried them to the southward
and westward, while Unus would approach from the
northward and eastward. Word was sent, accordingly, to
make the signal.

Bridget no sooner received this order than she showed
the flag, which was almost immediately answered by

setting the boat's sail. Unus now evidently took the direction
of matters on board the Dido. It is probable he appreciated
the effect of the gun and its echo, the first of
which he fully comprehended, though the last was as great
and as awful a mystery to him, as to any one of his countrymen.
Nevertheless, he imputed the strange and fearful
roar of the cliffs to some control of the whites over the
power of the hills, and regarded it as a friendly roar, even
while he trembled. Not so would it be with his countrymen,
did he well know; they would retire before it; and
the signal being given at that instant, the young Indian
had no hesitation about the course he ought to take.

Unus understood sailing a boat perfectly well. On setting
his sail, he stood on in the Dido until he was obliged
to bear up on account of the cliffs. This brought him so
close to the rocks as greatly to diminish the chances of
being seen. There both wind and current aided his progress;
the first drawing round the end of the island, the
coast of which it followed in a sort of eddy, for some time,
and the latter setting down towards the cove, which was
less than two miles from the north bluff. In twenty minutes
after he had made sail, Unus was entering the secret
little harbour, Waally and his fleet being quite out of sight
from one as low as the surface of the ocean, still paddling
away to the south-west, as hard as they could.

Great was the exultation of the colonists, at this escape
of Juno's. It even surpassed their happiness at the retreat
of their invaders. If the boat were actually unseen, the
governor believed the impression was sufficient to keep the
savages aloof for a long time, if not for ever; since they
would not fail to ascribe the roar, and the smoke of the
volcano, and all the mysteries of the place, to supernatural
agencies. If the sail had been seen, however, it was possible
that, on reflection, their courage might revive, and
more would be seen of them. Unus was extolled by everybody,
and seemed perfectly happy. Peggy communicated
his thoughts, which were every way in favour of his new
friends. Waally he detested. He denounced him as a
ruthless tyrant, and declared he would prefer death to submission
to his exactions. Juno highly approved of all his
sentiments, and was soon known as a sworn friend of

Peggy's. This hatred of tyranny is innate in man, but it
is necessary to distinguish between real oppression and
those restraints which are wholesome, if not indispensable
to human happiness. As for the canoes, they were soon
out of sight in the south-western board, running off, under
their sails, before the wind. Waally, himself, was too
strong-minded and resolute, to be as much overcome by
the echo, as his companions; but, so profound and general
was the awe excited, that he did not think it advisable to
persevere in his projects, at a moment so discouraging.
Acquiescing in the wishes of all around him, the expedition
drew off from the island, making the best of its way
back to the place from which it had last sailed. All these
circumstances became known to the colonists, in the end,
as well as the reasoning and the more minute incidents
that influenced the future movements. For the time being,
however, Woolston and his friends were left to their
own conjectures on the subject; which, however, were not
greatly out of the way. It was an hour after Juno and
Unus were safe up on the plain, before the look-outs at the
Peak finally lost sight of the fleet, which, when last seen,
was steering a course that would carry it between the
volcano and Rancocus Island, and might involve it in serious
difficulties in the succeeding night. There was no
land in sight from the highest points on Rancocus Island,
nor any indications of land, in a south-westerly direction;
and, did the canoes run past the latter, the imminent danger
of a general catastrophe would be the consequence.
Once at sea, under an uncertainty as to the course to be
steered, the situation of those belonging to the expedition
would be painful, indeed, nor could the results be foreseen.
Waaly, nevertheless, escaped the danger. Edging off to
keep aloof from the mysterious smoke, which troubled his
followers almost as much as the mysterious echoes, the
party, most fortunately for themselves, got a distant view
of the mountains for which they were running, and altered
their course in sufficient time to reach their place of destination,
by the return of light the succeeding morning.

All thoughts of the expedition to Rancocus Island were
temporarily abandoned by the governor and his council.
Mark was greatly disappointed, nor did his regrets cease

with disappointment only. Should Waally leave a portion
of his people on that island, a collision must occur, sooner
or later; there being a moral impossibility of the two colonies
continuing friends while so near each other. The
nature of an echo would be ascertained, before many
months, among the hills of Rancocus Island, and when that
came to be understood, there was an end of the sacred
character that the recent events had conferred on the
Peak. Any straggling vagabond, or runaway from a ship,
might purchase a present importance by explaining things,
and induce the savages to renew their efforts. In a word,
there was the moral certainty that hostilities must be renewed
ere many months, did Waally remain so near them,
and the question now seriously arose, whether it were better
to press the advantage already obtained, and drive him
back to his group, or to remain veiled behind the sort of
mystery that at present enshrouded them. These points
were gravely debated, and became subjects of as great
interest among the colonists, as ever banks, or abolitionism,
or antimasonry, or free-trade, or any other of the
crotchets of the day, could possibly be in America. Many
were the councils that were convened to settle this important
point of policy, which, after all, like most other matters
of moment, was decided more by the force of circumstances,
than by any of the deductions of human reason.
The weakness of the colony and the dangers to its existence,
disposed of the question of an aggressive war.
Waally was too strong to be assailed by a dozen enemies,
and all the suggestions of prudence were in favour of remaining
quiet, until the Friend Abraham White could, at
least, be made available in the contest. Supported by that
vessel, indeed, matters would be changed; and Mark
thought it would be in his power to drive in Waally, and
even to depose him and place Ooroony at the head of the
natives once more. To finish and launch the schooner,
therefore, was now the first great object, and, after a week
of indecision and consultations, it was determined to set
about that duty with vigour.

It will be easily seen, that the getting of the Abraham
into the water was an affair of a good deal of delicacy,
under the circumstances. The strait between the Peak

and Cape South was thirty miles wide, and it was twenty
more to the crater. Thus the party at work on the vessel
would be fully fifty miles from the main abodes of the
colony, and thrown quite out of the affair should another
invasion be attempted. As for bringing the Neshamony,
the Did, the Bridget, and the lighter, into the combat,
everybody was of opinion it would be risking too much.
It is true, one of the swivels was mounted on the former,
and might be of service, but the natives had got to be too
familiar with fire-arms to render it prudent to rely on
the potency of a single swivel, in a conflict against a
force so numerous, and one led by a spirit as determined
as that of Waally's was known to be. All idea of fighting
at sea, therefore, until the schooner was launched, was out
of the question, and every energy was turned to effect the
latter most important object. A separation of the forces of
the colony was inevitable, in the meanwhile; and reliance
must be placed on the protection of Providence, for keeping
the enemy aloof until the vessel was ready for active
service.

The labour requiring as much physical force as could
be mustered, the arrangement was settled in council and
approved by the governor, on the following plan, viz.:—
Mark was to proceed to the Reef with all the men that
could be spared, and a portion of the females. It was not
deemed safe, however, to leave the Peak with less than
three defenders, Heaton, Peters and Unus being chosen
for that important station; the former commanding, of
course. Mark, Betts, Bigelow, Socrates, and Jones,
formed the party for the Reef, to which were attached
Bridget, Martha, Teresa, and the blacks. Bigelow went
across, indeed, a day or two before the main party sailed,
in order to look after Dido, and to get his work forward
as fast as possible. When all was ready, and that was
when ten days had gone by after the retreat of Waally,
without bringing any further tidings from him, the governor
sailed in the Neshamony, having the Bridget and the
tighter in company, leaving the Dido for the convenience
of Heaton and his set. Signals were agreed on, though
the distance was so great as to render them of little use,
unless a boat were mid-channel. A very simple and ingenious

expedient, nevertheless, was suggested by Mark,
in connection with this matter. A single tree grew so near
the Peak as to be a conspicuous object from the ocean; it
was not large, though it could be seen at a great distance,
more particularly in the direction of the Reef. The governor
intimated an intention to send a boat daily far
enough out into the strait to ascertain whether this tree
were, or were not standing; and Heaton was instructed to
have it felled as soon as he had thoroughly ascertained
that Waally was abroad again with hostile intentions.
Other signals were also agreed on, in order to regulate
the movements of the boats, in the event of their being
called back to the Peak to repel an invasion.

With the foregoing arrangements completed and thoroughly
understood, the governor set sail for the Reef, accompanied
by his little squadron. It was an exquisitely
beautiful day, one in which all the witchery of the climate
developed itself, soothing the nerves and animating the
spirits. Bridget had lost most of her apprehensions of the
natives, and could laugh with her husband and play with
her child almost as freely as before the late events. Everybody,
indeed, was in high spirits, the launching of the
schooner being regarded as a thing that would give them
complete command of the adjacent seas.

The passage was short, a fresh breeze blowing, and four
hours after quitting the cliffs, the Neshamony was under
the lee of Cape South, and heading for the principal inlet.
As the craft glided along, in perfectly smooth water now,
Mark noted the changes that time was making on those
rocks, which had so lately emerged from the depths of the
ocean. The prairie, in particular, was every way worthy
of his attention. A mass of sea-weed, which rested on a
sort of stratum of mud immediately after the eruption, had
now been the favourite pasturage of the hogs for more than
a twelvemonth. These hogs at the present time exceeded
fifty full-grown animals, and there were twice that number
of grunters at their heels. Then the work they had done
on the Prairie was incredible. Not less than hundreds of
acres had they rooted over, mixing the sea-weed with the
mud, and fast converting the whole into soil. The rains
had washed away the salt, or converted it into manure, as

well as contributing to the more rapid decay of the vegetable
substances. In that climate the changes are very
rapid, and Mark saw that another year or two would convert
the whole of that vast range, which had been formerly
computed at a surface of a thousand acres, into very respectable
pastures, if not into meadows. Of meadows,
however, there was very little necessity in that latitude;
the eternal summer that reigned furnishing pasturage the
year round. The necessary grasses might be wanting to
seed down so large a surface, but those which Socrates
had put in were well-rooted, and it was pretty certain they
would, sooner or later, spread themselves over the whole
field. In defiance of the hogs, and their increasing inroads,
large patches were already green and flourishing.
What is more, young trees were beginning to show themselves
along the margin of the channels. Heaton had
brought over from Betto's group several large panniers
made of green willows, and these Socrates had cut into
strips, and thrust into the mud. Almost without an exception
they had struck out roots, and never ceasing, day or
night, to grow, they were already mostly of the height of a
man. Four or five years would convert them into so many
beautiful, if not very useful trees.

Nor was this all. Heaton, under the influence of his
habits, had studied the natures of the different trees he had
met with on the other islands. The cocoa-nut, in particular,
abounded in both groups, and finding it was a tree that
much affected low land and salt water, he had taken care
to set out various samples of his roots and fruits, on certain
detached islets near this channel, where the soil and
situation induced him to believe they would flourish. Seasand
he was of opinion was the most favourable for the
growth of this tree, and he had chosen the sites of his
plantations with a view to those advantages. On the Peak
cocoa-nuts were to be found, but they were neither very
fine, nor in very large quantities. So long as Mark had
that island to himself, the present supply would more than
equal the demand, but with the increase of the colony a
greater number of the trees would become very desirable.
Five or six years would be needed to produce the fruit-bearing
tree, and the governor was pleased to find that the

growth of one of those years had been already secured.
In the case of those he had himself planted, in and on the
crater, near three years had contributed to their growth,
and neither the Guano nor Loam Island having been forgotten,
many of them were now thirty feet high. As he
approached the crater, on that occasion, he looked at those
promising fruits of his early and provident care for the
future with great satisfaction, for seldom was the labour
of man better rewarded. Mark well knew the value of
this tree, which was of use in a variety of ways, in addition
to the delicious and healthful fruit it bears; delicious
and healthful when eaten shortly after it is separated from
the tree. The wood of the kernel could be polished, and
converted into bowls, that were ornamental as well as useful.
The husks made a capital cordage, and a very respectable
sail-cloth, being a good substitute for hemp,
though hemp, itself, was a plant that might be grown on
the prairies to an almost illimitable extent. The leaves
were excellent for thatching, as well as for making brooms,
mats, hammocks, baskets and a variety of such articles,
while the trunks could be converted into canoes, gutters,
and timber generally. There was also one other expensive
use of this tree, which the governor had learned from Heaton.
While Bridget was still confined to the ship, after
the birth of her daughter, Mark had brought her a dish
of greens, which she pronounced the most delicious of any
thing in its way she had ever tasted. It was composed of
the young and delicate leaves of the new growth, or of the
summit of the cocoa-nut tree, somewhat resembling the
artichoke in their formation, though still more exquisite in
taste. But the tree from which this treat was obtained
died,—a penalty that must ever be paid to partake of that
dish. As soon as Bridget learned this, she forbade the
cutting of any more for her use, at least. All the boats
got into port in good season, and the Reef once more became
a scene of life and activity. The schooner was soon
completed, and it only remained to put her into the water.
This work was already commenced by Bigelow, and the
governor directed everybody to lend a hand in effecting
so desirable an object. Bigelow had all his materials
ready, and so perseveringly did our colonists work, that
the schooner was all ready to be put into the water on the
evening of the second day. The launch was deferred only to
have the benefit of daylight. That afternoon Mark, accompanied
by his wife, had gone in the Bridget, his favourite
boat, to look for the signal tree. He went some distance
into the strait, ere he was near enough to get a sight of
it even with the glass; when he did procure a view, there
it was precisely as he had last seen it. Putting the helm
of the boat up, the instant he was assured of his fact, the
governor wore short round, making the best of his way
back to the crater, again. The distances, it will be remembered,
were considerable, and it required time to
make the passage. The sun was setting as Mark was running
along the channel to the Reef, the young man pointing
out to his charming wife the growth of the trees, the
tints of the evening sky, the drove of hogs, the extent of
his new meadows, and such other objects as would be
likely to interest both, in the midst of such a scene. The
boat rounded a point where a portion of the hogs had been
sleeping, and as it came sweeping up, the animals rose in
a body, snuffed the air, and began scampering off in the
way conformable to their habits, Mark laughing and pointing
with his fingers to draw Bridget's attention to their
antics.

“There are more of the creatures,” said Bridget;
“yonder, on the further side of the prairie—I dare say
the two parties will join each other, and have a famous
scamper, in company.”

“More!” echoed Mark; “that can hardly be, as we
passed some thirty of them several miles to the southward.
—What is it you see, dearest, that you mistake for hogs?”

“Why, yonder—more than a mile from us; on the opposite
side of the prairie and near the water, in the other
channel.”

“The other is not a channel at all; it is a mere bay that
leads to nothing; so none of our boats or people can be
there. The savages, as I am your husband, Bridget!”

Sure enough, the objects which Bridget had mistaken
for mere hogs, were in truth the heads and shoulders of
some twenty Indians who were observing the movements of
the boat from positions taken on the other side of the plain,

so as to conceal all but the upper halves of their bodies.
They had two canoes; war canoes, moreover; but these
were the whole party, at that point at least.

This was a most grave discovery. The governor had
hoped the Reef, so accessible on every side by means of
canoes, would, for years at least, continue to be a terra
incognita to the savages. On this ignorance of the natives
would much of its security depend, for the united forces
of the colonists could scarcely suffice to maintain the place
against the power of Waally. The matter as it was, called
for all his energies, and for the most prompt measures.

The first step was to apprise the people at the Reef of
the proximity of these dangerous neighbours. As the boat
was doubtless seen, its sails rising above the land, there
was no motive in changing its course, or for attempting to
conceal it. The crater, ship and schooner on the stocks,
were all in sight of the savages at that moment, though not
less than two leagues distant, where they doubtless appeared
indistinct and confused. The ship might produce an
influence in one or two ways. It might inflame the cupidity
of Waally, under the hope of possessing so much treasure,
and tempt him on to hasten his assault; or it might
intimidate him by its imagined force, vessels rarely visiting
the islands of the Pacific without being prepared to defend
themselves. The savages would not be likely to comprehend
the true condition of the vessel, but would naturally
suppose that she had a full crew, and possessed the usual
means of annoying her enemies. All this occurred to the
governor in the first five minutes after his discovery, while
his boat was gliding onwards towards her haven.

Bridget behaved admirably. She trembled a little at
first, and pressed her child to her bosom with more than
the usual warmth, but her self-command was soon regained,
and from that instant, Mark found in her a quick, ingenious,
and useful assistant and counsellor. Her faculties
and courage seemed to increase with the danger, and so
far from proving an encumbrance, as might naturally
enough have been expected, she was not only out of the
way, as respects impediments, but she soon became of real
use, and directed the movements of the females with almost

as much skill and decision as Mark directed those of their
husbands.

The boat did not reach the Reef until dusk, or for an
hour after the savages had been seen. The colonists had
just left their work, and the evening being cool and refreshing
after a warm summer's day, they were taking their
suppers under a tent or awning, at no great distance from
the ship-yard, when the governor joined them. This tent,
or awning, had been erected for such purposes, and had
several advantages to recommend it. It stood quite near
the beach of the spring, and cool fresh water was always
at hand. It had a carpet of velvet-like grass, too, a rare
thing for the Reef, on the outside of the crater. But, there
were cavities on its surface, in which foreign substances
had collected, and this was one of them. Sea-weed, loam,
dead fish, and rain-water had made a thin soil on about an
acre of rocks at this spot, and the rain constantly assisting
vegetation, the grass-seed had taken root there, and this
being its second season, Betts had found the sward already
sufficient for his purposes, and caused an awning to be
spread, converting the grass into a carpet. There might
now have been a dozen similar places on the reef, so many
oases in its desert, where soil had formed and grass was
growing. No one doubted that, in time and with care,
those then living might see most of those naked rocks
clothed with verdure, for the progress of vegetation in such
a climate, favoured by those accidental causes which
seemed to prevent that particular region from ever suffering
by droughts, is almost magical, and might convert a
wilderness into a garden in the course of a very few years.

Mark did not disturb the happy security in which he
found his people by any unnecessary announcement of
danger. On the contrary, he spoke cheerfully, complimented
them on the advanced state of their work, and took
an occasion to get Betts aside, when he first communicated
the all-important discovery he had made. Bob was dumfounded
at first; for, like the governor himself, he had believed
the Reef to be one of the secret spots of the earth,
and had never anticipated an invasion in that quarter.
Recovering himself, however, he was soon in a state of
mind to consult intelligently and freely.

“Then we're to expect the reptyles to-night?” said
Betts, as soon as he had regained his voice.

“I think not,” answered Mark. “The canoes I saw
were in the false channel, and cannot possibly reach us
without returning to the western margin of the rocks, and
entering one of the true passages. I rather think this cannot
be done before morning. Daylight, indeed, may be
absolutely necessary to them; and as the night promises to
be dark, it is not easy to see how strangers can find their
way to us, among the maze of passages they must meet.
By land, they cannot get here from any of the islands on
the western side of the group; and even if landed on the
central island, there is only one route, and that a crooked
one, which will bring them here without the assistance of
their canoes. We are reasonably well fortified, Betts,
through natural agencies, on that side; and I do not apprehend
seeing anything more of the fellows until morning.”

“What a misfortin 'tis that they should ever have discovered
the Reef!”

“It certainly is; and it is one, I confess, I had not expected.
But we must take things as they are, Betts, and
do our duty. Providence—that all-seeing Power, which
spared you and me when so many of our shipmates were
called away with short notice — Providence may still be
pleased to look on us with favour.”

“That puts me in mind, Mr. Mark, of telling you something
that I have lately l'arn'd from Jones, who was about
a good deal among the savages, since his friend's marriage
with Peggy, and before he made his escape to join us.
Jones says that, as near as he can find out, about three
years ago, a ship's launch came into Betto's Land, as we
call it—Waally's Country, however, is meant; and that is
a part of the group I never ventured into, seeing that my
partic'lar friend, Ooroony, and Waally, was always at daggers
drawn—but a ship's launch came in there, about three
years since, with seven living men in it. Jones could never
get a sight of any of the men, for Waally is said to have
kept them all hard at work for himself; but he got tolerable
accounts of them, as well as of the boat in which
they arrived.”

“Surely, Bob, you do not suppose that launch to have

been ours, and those men to have been a part of our old
crew!” exclaimed Mark, with a tumult of feeling he had
not experienced since he had reason to think that Bridget
was about to be restored to him.

“Indeed, but I do, sir. The savages told Jones that the
boat had a bird painted in its starn-sheets; and that was
the case with our launch, Mr. Mark, which was ornamented
with a spread-eagle in that very spot. Then, one of the
men was said to have a red mark on his face; and you may
remember, sir, that Bill Brown had a nat'ral brand of that
sort. Jones only mentioned the thing this arternoon, as
we was at work together; and I detarmined to let you
know all about it, at the first occasion. Depend on it, Mr.
Woolston, some of our chaps is still living.”

This unexpected intelligence momentarily drove the
recollection of the present danger from the governor's
mind. He sent for Jones, and questioned him closely
touching the particulars of his information; the answers
he received certainly going far towards corroborating
Betts's idea of the character of the unknown men. Jones
was never able even to get on the island where these men
were said to be; but he had received frequent descriptions
of their ages, appearances, numbers, &c. It was also
reported by those who had seen them, that several of the
party had died of hunger before the boat reached the
group; and that only about half of those who had originally
taken to the boat, which belonged to a ship that had
been wrecked, lived to get ashore. The man with a mark
on his face was represented as being very expert with tools,
and was employed by Waally to build him a canoe that
would live out in the gales of the ocean. This agreed perfectly
with the trade and appearance of Brown, who had
been the Rancocus's carpenter, and had the sort of mark
so particularly described.

The time, the boat, the incidents of the wreck, meagre
as the last were, as derived through the information of
Jones, and all the other facts Mark could glean in a close
examination of the man's statements, went to confirm the
impression that a portion of those who had been carried to
leeward in the Rancocus's launch, had escaped with their
lives, and were at that moment prisoners in the power of

the very savage chief who now threatened his colony with
destruction.

But the emergency did not admit of any protracted inquiry
into, or any consultation on the means necessary to
relieve their old shipmates from a fate so miserable. Circumstances
required that the governor should now give his
attention to the important concerns immediately before
him.