A canoe, with two natives, approaches the island.--Communication opened with them.--A great number of canoes, filled with armed natives, suddenly arrive; rough treatment of the captain by one of the chiefs.--They all arrive at the harbor of the island, which proved to be one of the Pelew islands.--Description of the island and its inhabitants.--Consultation of the chiefs respecting the ship's company.--Result of the consultation 41 CHAPTER IV. An extraordinary and unexpected meeting with a person not a native.--Happy result of the meeting.--Acquisition of the Pelew language.--Dissensions between two portions of the natives.--Three of the ship's company separated and carried to a place remote from the rest.--Attempt to construct a boat, in order to leave the island.--The natives agree to release them all for a compensation.--Solemnities observed by the natives on the occasion.--Tools used in making the boat; transportation of timber, &c.--The plan abandoned, and a canoe substituted for the boat.--Another festival 55 CHAPTER V. The natives become anxious to aid the ship's company in leaving the island.--Terms on which they agreed to release them.--Departure from the Pelew islands.--Necessity of returning the same night.--Detention a month longer; and final departure 68 CHAPTER VI. Regret at having undertaken the voyage in boats.--Storm, and damage in consequence of it.--Loss of the canoe and the provisions on board.--Danger of perishing from famine.--On the fifteenth day, when nearly exhausted with fatigue and hunger, they discover a small island.--Approach of eighteen canoes filled with natives, who make prisoners of them all.--Cruelty of the natives; and return with their prisoners to the island.--Reception there.--The prisoners distributed among the captors 74 CHAPTER VII. The island, to which they were carried, proves to be Lord North's island, called by the natives _To'bee_.--Account of the island and its inhabitants.--Their manners and customs 81 CHAPTER VIII.