"Bother the brutes!" he exclaimed; "can't they let a fellow fish in peace? Why doesn't the captain make a start and get away from them?"
He was as eager now to leave the land as he had been the day before to reach it.
It was clear that the Papouans were puzzled.
They had seen European ships before, but what could they make of a long cylinder of iron, without masts, almost flush with the surface of the water, and no chimney like a steamer?
But they gained confidence as they saw no attempt made to drive them away.
They had seen some of their number killed by the air-guns, yet they had heard no noise.
All at once a flotilla consisting of a score of canoes, full of savages, put off from the shore, and approached the ship.
Mont at once sought refuge in the interior of the ship, and ran to apprise the captain of the formidable state affairs were assuming.
Clearly no orders had been given to repel boarders.
Knocking at the captain's door, he was told to enter.