Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/176

160 detour, and now I rested again, this time on the stump of a decayed tree.

I had hardly sat down when a shadow appeared over my shoulder. Before I could turn to catch sight of the newcomer, I was caught around the arms from the rear and held a prisoner by a brawny Kanaka, who scowled viciously over my shoulder.

"Hi! let go there!" I cried, when the fellow clapped a greasy hand over my mouth, and hauling me backward, threw me down and sat on me.

A fierce struggle followed, and I had almost freed myself when my assailant suddenly stepped back and kicked me in the side. This deprived me of my wind. Then came a blow on the head and a million stars danced before my eyes; and then I knew no more.

When I recovered I found all was dark around me and that I was standing upright. My first idea was that I was being held in some giant vise, my next, and this was correct, that I was standing at the bottom of a hollow tree.

Undoubtedly the Kanaka had taken this effectual means of getting rid of me. I was in cramped quarters, so cramped that I could scarcely turn around. Looking upward, I saw that all was darkness overhead, but whether this was because the top of the hollow was closed up, or because it was night, I could not tell.