fashion, offered them fruit, and helped to roll the casks up on the
beach; then all of a sudden with unearthly shrieks they fell upon them
with their clubs. With difficulty the Captain and two sailors managed
to get into the boat and across the inlet, to where their companions,
pale with fear, stood shuddering to think of the awful fate of their
comrades.

"Poor, poor Peppo," wailed Willy, "can't we help him? Will he be eaten
up by the cannibals?"

Immediately there appeared on the shore whole troops of cannibals, and
more poured out of the woods. Swinging their clubs and giving
frightful war cries they challenged the intruders to do battle with
them.

"Quickly, boatswain," said the Captain, "order the Chinaman to make a
raft from the beams of the boat, and to arm themselves as best they
can. We must force a landing and get some drinking water or we are
lost. It we only had half a dozen guns and some ammunition.--Just
listen to the cries of these men whom they are putting to death," said
the Captain, turning his eyes away from the sickening sight. [1]

By means of signs the boatswain tried to incite the Chinamen to action.
They understood perfectly well what was wanted but remained passive,
for Lihoa reminded them of the warning of the God of the Golden Fish
not to engage in any strife.

"Leave the cowards to their fate," said Gray. "We'll take the single
cask of water, the salted meat and hardtack which we fished out of the
sea and get out of here tonight secretly."