Chapter XVI. Tsalal Island

           Thenightpassedwithoutalarm.Noboathadputofffromtheisland,norhadanativeshownhimselfuponthebeach.TheHalbrane,then,hadnotbeenobservedonherarrival;thiswasallthebetter.

           Wehadcastanchorintenfathoms,atthreemilesfromthecoast.

           WhentheJaneappearedinthesewaters,thepeopleofTsalalbeheldashipforthefirsttime,andtheytookitforanenormousanimal,regardingitsmastsaslimbs,anditssailsasgarments.Now,theyoughttobebetterinformedonthissubject,andiftheydidnotattempttovisitus,towhatmotivewerewetoassignsuchconduct?

           CaptainLenGuygaveordersfortheloweringoftheship’slargestboat,inavoicewhichbetrayedhisimpatience.

           Theorderwasexecuted,andthecaptain,addressingWest,said—

           “SendeightmendownwithMartinHolt;sendHunttothehelm.Remainyourselfatthemoorings,andkeepalook-outlandwardsaswellastosea.”

           “Aye,aye,sir;don’tbeuneasy.”

           “Wearegoingashore,andweshalltrytogainthevillageofKlock-Klock.Ifanydifficultyshouldariseonsea,giveuswarningbyfiringthreeshots.”

           “Allright,”repliedWest—”ataminute’sinterval.”

           “Ifweshouldnotreturnbeforeevening,sendthesecondboatwithtenarmedmenundertheboatswain’sorders,andletthemstationthemselveswithinacable’slengthoftheshore,soastoescortusback.Youunderstand?”

           “Perfectly,captain.