This aroused my suspicion, for I knew the cupidity of
savages, and how they always try to take all and give nothing in
return.
Toward the end of our visit, I also observed that numbers of savages
from the adjacent islands began to arrive in canoes, and that
preparations were being made for a feast. It was then that I noticed
the girl I had saved from the shark was often to be seen standing on
the beach opposite to the ship, gazing at the vessel long and
earnestly. Thinking she wished to come on board again, I went in my
boat to fetch her, but when I met her she showed great alarm lest we
should be seen speaking together, and, urging me to follow her, she led
me to a secluded spot of the island, in order that we might be free
from observation. Here she confided to me the treachery of Vale Vulu,
the chief whose guests we were.
It appeared from this girl's account of the matter that Vale Vulu's
professed friendship for us was only a blind in order that he might
attack us unawares. To this end he had invited certain tribes from some
of the adjacent islands, with whom he happened to be on friendly terms,
to a feast, the principal food of which was to consist of the dead
bodies of our crew.
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