Carl and Mont plied the oars vigorously.
Fortunately, when the savages reached the beach they were some distance out.
A flight of arrows fell close to them without doing them any harm.
At least a hundred of the natives plunged into the sea up to the waist, but they did not attempt to swim after the boat, which soon reached the Searcher.
Mont expected to see someone, but the platform was deserted.
Our hero at once went to the captain, being alarmed at the hostile attitude of the savages, whom he did not doubt were possessed of canoes and would make an attack upon the ship.
He was annoyed at being obliged to take shelter so soon, but what could he do?
All his hopes of liberty in flight were nipped in the bud.
He began to see now that Captain Vindex knew the character of the coast, and had calculated well on their return to their captivity.
Imprisonment with him was better than death or slavery among the savages of the island.