Sunk at Sea by R. M. Ballantyne

Author:R. M. Ballantyne [Ballantyne, R. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Adventure and adventurers -- Juvenile fiction, Rescues -- Juvenile fiction, Shipwrecks -- Juvenile fiction, Young men -- Juvenile fiction, Pacific Ocean -- Juvenile fiction, Missionaries -- Juvenile fiction
ISBN: 9783965372269
Publisher: otbebookpublishing
Published: 2007-10-30T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Nine.

Contains an Account of the Desperate Circumstances of the Prisoners.

Five hours passed away, during which the savages continued to paddle almost without intermission, and our hero with his friends lay fast bound in the bottom of the canoe. They suffered great pain from the swelling of their limbs and the tightening of the cords that bound them; but although Larry O’Hale, in the exasperation of his spirit, gave vent to one or two howls, accompanied by expressions that were the reverse of complimentary, no attention was paid to them until the island towards which they steered was reached.

The instant the canoe touched the sand the captives were lifted out—their hands and feet were tied together in a bunch, and, each being slung on a stout pole as one might sling a bundle, they were carried up to a native village on the margin of a wood. On the way, Wandering Will could see that the beach swarmed with natives—a fact, however, of which his ears had already assured him, for the air was filled with yells of delight as the captives were successively lifted out of the canoe. He also observed that the island appeared to be a large one, for he got a glimpse of a huge mountain rising over the tree tops. Neither he nor any of his comrades, however, had time to make many observations, for they were hurried up the beach and into the village, where they were thrown down under a rudely built hut which was covered with broad leaves.

Here the cords that fastened them were unloosed; but if this for a moment raised the hope that they were about to be set free, they were quickly undeceived by the savages, who rebound their hands behind them. Our hero, Captain Dall, Mr Cupples, Larry O’Hale, and Muggins, were then fastened with cords of cocoa-nut fibre to the several posts of the hut in such a manner that they could stand up or lie down at pleasure. George Goff, old Bob, and the others were led away. Seeing that they were about to be separated, Captain Dall suddenly called out, “Farewell, lads,” in a tone so sad, that Goff looked back at him in surprise, but his captors forced him away before he could reply.

“You think we won’t see them again?” said Osten, when they were left alone.

“I think not. From what I know of those savages, I fear they have taken our comrades away to be sacrificed, and that our own time will soon come.”

Something between a groan and a growl escaped from O’Hale when this was said.

“Cudn’t we break thim ropes, and run amuck amongst the murtherin’ blackguards,” he exclaimed, seizing the rope that bound him with his teeth and endeavouring to tear it—an effort which it is needless to say was futile, and nearly cost him a tooth.

“It’s of no use, Larry,” said the captain; “we can’t help ourselves. If the Lord don’t help us, we’re dead men.”

Although Will Osten was much

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