"What do you mean?" inquired Brand.
"Cussem Americanon!" said the chief, fiercely, "kill one two me men! Mus' pay for dat."
"You are mistaken," answered Brand; "I never killed a man. It wasn't me."
"All same you with," answered the islander. "Ho! ho! never get way from me—me got long canoe."
The two were dragged to the beach, bound with strong wythes, and were made to sit down upon the sand.
Then a brief conversation was held, after which, the chief said something to several of his men.
Away they went, climbing up a tree, and procuring several branches.
These they brought to the chief, who, passing them round the neck of the prisoners so tightly that both were nearly throttled, then turned again and spoke to his people.
Instantly the latter, seizing the two, dragged them up to their necks into the water, where they were firmly held with the incoming seas continually breaking over their heads.