Then he learnt the significance of that column of smoke on the northern
point. A fleet of at least forty canoes was advancing on the ship from
the sea. Tide and paddles were swinging the small craft along at a
spanking pace. They were already much nearer the vessel than the first
batch of Indians, who had very cleverly contrived to enlist the
attention of the defenders while the real attack was developing without
let or hindrance. It was a smart ruse, worthy of a race of higher
attainments than the tribe which is ranked lowest in the human scale.
During long days of patient watching, they had probably estimated to a
nicety the number of men on board. They reasoned that a show of force
to the south would draw all eyes from the north, and the stronger
squadron of canoes might be enabled to run under the bows of the ship
so speedily and quietly that the occupants of the leading craft, men
who could climb like monkeys, stood some chance of gaining the deck
unobserved. That this was their design was proved by the abstention of
the newcomers from firing or stone-slinging. They were gathering with
the speed and silence of vultures.
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