The canoes were all round us, and
the savages had already begun to swarm on to our decks, when the sails
filled and the "Golden Seahorse" began to gather way. We were now
incensed against the cannibals for their treacherous conduct, and many
fell to the discharge of our muskets. With our cutlasses we soon drove
those who had ventured upon the ship into the sea, and a second
discharge from our brass cannon disabled one of the largest remaining
canoes, when the others made off. As our ship bowed to the waves of the
ocean we were able once more to breathe freely, and, taking a last look
at the island, I fancied I saw a dark form hurl itself from one of the
highest cliffs upon the rocks below. Was it the brave girl, I wondered,
who had saved us, and who had thus escaped torture by destroying
herself?
CHAPTER L
AGAIN AT THE MOLUCCAS
Hartog was anxious, before returning home, that we should call again at
the Molucca Islands, and demand an explanation, together with a ransom
of pearls, from King Thedori, for having treated us so scurvily on our
former visit. We knew that this treacherous chief depended for the
success of his piratical schemes on taking by surprise those for whom
he pretended friendship, and for that reason we had arranged to meet
the "Speedwell" so that we might, by strategy, pay Thedori back in his
own coin, capture him, and hold him to ransom.
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