So it was agreed that we were to embark at once.  Taking our rifles and muskets, the paddles in our hands, and some provisions in our pockets, we hurried down to the beach.  We had got the canoe in the water, when a shout attracted our attention.  Old Surley gave a bark of delight, and ran off.  "That is Jerry's voice," I exclaimed, hurrying to meet him. At a distance were several men and boys in hot pursuit.  Jerry was somewhat out of breath, so I took his hand and helped him along, without asking questions.  He, Surley, and I, leaped into the canoe together; Mr Brand, Ben, and the doctor seized the paddles, and shoving her off into deep water, away we steered towards the passage through the reef. Scarcely had we got a couple of hundred yards off before the savages reached the shore.  They instantly fitted their arrows to their bows; but I, seizing my rifle, made signs that if they let fly I would fire in return.  They understood the hint, and ran off along the beach to a spot where a number of their canoes were hauled up.  The leading one, with only three men in her, came dashing close after us through the surf. One held his bow ready to shoot, the rest had placed their weapons at the bottom.  The other canoes contained more savages, and followed close after their leader.  This made us redouble our efforts to escape.  We darted through the passage just as a dozen canoes or more left the shore.  We had a terribly short start of them, and they paddled nearly twice as fast as we could.