Now we had got the wind, it would take them a long time to come up with us. The wind was too fresh to allow the oars to be of any use. We trusted, however, to the good providence of God to carry us clear. All that we would do was to sit quiet and hope that the wind would continue steady. We could see the canoes in the north-east hull down, and we hoped that we might keep ahead till night should hide us from their sight. The mate said he was sure that they would not then attempt to follow us farther.
“But, I say, is any one hungry?” exclaimed Horner. “We’ve had no breakfast, you’ll remember.”
We had all been too excited to think of eating, but the mention of food excited our appetites, and the mate told the doctor to serve out provisions.
The occupation of eating assisted to pass the time, and to raise our spirits. The mate told us that he and the doctor had determined to steer for the Pellew Islands, the inhabitants of which, though uncivilised, were supposed to be of a mild disposition, and likely to treat us kindly. Even had we intended to steer for Guam, the canoes in that direction would have prevented us doing so.
From the Pellew Islands we should have a long voyage round to Manilla. When once there we should be sure of finding European vessels on board of which we should be able to obtain a passage to some English settlement. Every now and then, while we were eating, I took a look at the canoes, but the sight of them didn’t spoil my appetite, nor that of the rest of us, as far as I could judge.
“They are getting no nearer,” I observed.
“Wait till they come about,” said Horner; “they’ll then be up with us fast enough, and this may be the last meal we shall ever eat.”
“Haul in the slack of that, you young croaker!” cried the mate, in an angry tone. “You would like to make the others as much afraid as you are yourself.”
Horner could not say he was not afraid, for he looked it. The breeze freshened, and the boat made good way in spite of being heavily laden, standing up well to all the sail we could set. For another hour or more we could see the canoes.
At last the mate, standing up, took a look at them and then cried—