When we had gone down on the beach, on the occasion of the wreck of the schooner, we observed a canoe thrown upon the shore.  She was evidently one of those deserted by the savages when the whaler blew up.  We agreed that, if we could get her repaired, she might prove the means of our escape.  The first thing was to cut some paddles.  This we had no great difficulty in doing, from the trees growing around us.  Watching their opportunity, when no savages were near, Mr Brand and Ben went down to examine her.  On their return they reported that she was perfectly sound, and required little or nothing done to her.  It was a question with us, however, whether we should commit ourselves to the deep at once, and endeavour to reach some more hospitable island, or wait for the possibility of a ship passing that way, and going off to her.