Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/185

Rh reckoned. Soon, however, they discovered themselves in rapidly shoaling water, and the rugged form of a reef began to appear. It was with difficulty that at daylight they passed an entrance that they found, and at length gained the calmer waters of the lagoon. It was yet twenty miles to the land itself.

For this, as the sun rose and mounted, they pulled away, and at length reached a nice little beach of a fine sandy shore, and upon this, above the level of the water, grew abundant groves of tropical trees, the largest and most grateful of which was the breadfruit tree. This produces fruit nine months of the year, and to the castaways, who had had nothing but sea biscuit for three days, here was spread a rich feast. There were also cocoanuts and a species of tropical fruit much resembling cherries. To add to their comfort was also found a spring of fine water, such as they had not had on the reef. Near the spring they found a large crab, such as frequents the shores in the tropical regions.

But they were not to be long left alone in this cove on the shore—in the groves of breadfruit and cocoanuts. Soon a native canoe came in sight, and at a distance of about two hundred yards stopped. It was occupied by a few boys and men, who stood up at a safe distance and held up a fish in sign of friendliness, and the sailors of Holden's party responded at once by holding up the crab which they had just caught. The natives then came toward them, seeming very friendly and shaking hands. They then went to the boat, but found nothing there. In order to meet this friendly manifestation Holden took his hat off and made a present of this to the boy, who replied, "Mario English; sabiete Pelew"—"Hello Englishman; come to Pelew."

The canoe then put out into the lagoon, leading the way, and the sailors in the boat considered that there