As he spoke, three guns were fired in quick succession from the _Triton_.  The noise and smoke, to which the savages were evidently unaccustomed, made them desist paddling.  We redoubled our efforts, and shot ahead.  After a little hesitation, the savages once more pressed on after us, but happily at that moment the ship again fired.  Mr Brand at the same time seized the muskets and discharged them one after the other over the heads of our pursuers.  Again they wavered, some even turned their canoes about, two or three only advanced slowly, the rest ceased paddling altogether.  This gave us a great advantage, and without waiting to let Mr Brand reload the muskets, we paddled away with our hopes of escape much increased.  Some minutes elapsed, when the courage of the savages returned, and fearing that we might altogether escape them, they all united in the pursuit.  The breeze, however, freshened, the ship rapidly clove the waters, and before the canoes had regained the distance they had lost, we were alongside.  Loud shouts of welcome broke from every quarter of the _Triton_ as we clambered up her side.