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110 for my pistol and was on the point of drawing the weapon when Oliver checked me.

"Don't, Mark; it will only make matters worse."

"But they may kill us!"

"No, I don't think they will dare do that."

Before more could be said two of the Kanakas leaped forward and one caught Dan while the other grabbed me.

I tried to resist, but, although I count myself as powerful as the average American lad, I soon felt that I had fallen into the hands of a veritable giant for strength. I later on learned that Buowa, who had attacked me, was considered the most powerful Kanaka in the district. By occupation he was a breaker-in of wild horses, and by a single turn of his arm had thrown a steed more than once.

"American boy come with me," growled Buowa, when he had caught both of my hands and crossed them behind my back. He fairly hauled me out of the hollow, while the three remaining Kanakas did the same with my chums.

"I reckon we are in for it now," said Dan soberly. "We ought to have kept on running."

"The horses" began Oliver, when he checked himself.

"What you say about horses?" asked one of the Kanakas, the shortest and fattest of the four,