A meeting was held under the banyan tree in the marum, and the three friends looked on, much interested in the proceedings.
Wal Jessop gathered that there was considerable opposition to Captain Manton’s departure, and that the chief did not care to resist the will of the natives. When the meeting was over, Meri said his people were not willing that Captain Manton should go with Edgar and Wal.
To this Wal Jessop made no reply, but after consulting Edgar and Captain Manton, it was arranged they should make a bolt for it at night, seize one of the canoes, and row back to the schooner.
Wal Jessop went to the schooner to give instructions for all to be ready for sailing immediately they were on board.
Towards evening, when the natives were returning from the plantation, there was a great row amongst them. They came forward shouting, dancing, and gesticulating, and in their midst was a poor wretched native, almost ready to drop with fright. Meri’s men had kidnapped this man, who belonged to another tribe, and he knew, poor wretch! the fate in store for him.
‘What will they do with that poor beggar?’ said Edgar.
‘Eat him probably,’ said Wal Jessop with a shudder. ‘The natives here are cannibals.’
‘Horrible!’ said Edgar. ‘Can we do nothing to prevent it?’
‘I am afraid not,’ said Wal. ‘I will remonstrate with the chief, but it will be all to no purpose. All we can do is to take advantage of their absence when the poor wretch is killed, and make for the schooner.’
‘Speak to Meri,’ said Edgar. ‘We ought to stop it if we can.’