Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/130

116 here," said the strong Kanaka, and then he and the old chief left us, taking their lamp with them.

Dan picked himself up, filled with a rage that was utterly useless. "Oh, if only my hands were free, I'd pitch into him; see if I would not!" he cried.

"You'd get the worst of it," I returned. "He's as strong as an ox."

"My nose feels all swelled up. And my neck is swelled too—where that spider bit me."

"I don't think the spider-bite will amount to anything, Dan; my hand is all right."

"We are in a worse stew than when we disturbed the Fire-worshipers," was Oliver's comment. "I must say I don't know what to do. I suppose they intend to keep us here for the balance of the night."

"They are evidently down on all Americans, Oliver," I said. "The very best thing we can do is to make our escape—if we can manage it."

"Oh, I agree there, Mark. The question is, can we do it?"

"We can try."

"Some natives are outside on the watch. If we run for it they will be sure to give the alarm."

"We must escape in secret."

"It's easy enough to talk. How are you going to do it?" asked Dan.

"We'll have to make an examination of our