But the most important fact was the safety of the females.  They were all at the Peak, where they had lived for the last six months, or ever since the death of the good Ooroony had again placed Waally in the ascendant.  Ooroony’s son was overturned immediately on the decease of the father, who died a natural death, and Waally disregarded the taboo, which he persuaded his people could have no sanctity as applied to the whites.  The plunder of these last, with the possession of the treasure of iron and copper that was to be found in their vessels, had indeed been the principal bribe with which the turbulent and ambitious chief regained his power.  The war did not break out, however, as soon as Waally had effected the revolution in his own group.  On the contrary, that wily politician had made so many protestations of friendship after that event, which he declared to be necessary to the peace of his island; had collected so much sandal-wood, and permitted it to be transferred to the crater, where a cargo was already stored; and had otherwise made so many amicable demonstrations, as completely to deceive the colonists.  No one had anticipated an invasion; but, on the contrary, preparations were making at the Peak for the reception of Mark, whose return had now been expected daily for a fortnight.

The Mermaid had brought over a light freight of wood from Betto’s group, and had discharged at the crater.  This done, she had sailed with the intention of going out to cruise for the Rancocus, to carry the news of the colony, all of which was favourable, with the exception of the death of Ooroony and the recent events; but was lying in the roads, outside of everything—­the Western Roads, as they were called, or those nearest to the other group—­waiting for the appointed hour of sailing, which was to be the very morning of the day in which she was fallen in with by the governor.  Her crew consisted only of Captain Saunders, Bigelow, the cook and steward, and two of the people engaged at Canton—­one of whom was a very good-for-nothing Chinaman.  The two last had the look-out, got drunk, and permitted a fleet of hostile canoes to get alongside in the dark, being knocked on the head and tossed overboard, as the penalty of this neglect of duty.  The others owed their lives to the circumstance of being taken in their sleep, when resistance was out of the question.  In the morning, the brig’s cable was cut, sail was set, after a fashion, and an attempt was made to carry the vessel over to Betto’s group.  It is very questionable whether she ever could have arrived; but that point was disposed of by the opportune appearance of the Rancocus.