"Well, a lot of gorillas would be as bad as a band of savages," answered Dave. Slowly the rowboat proceeded on its journey until they rounded another point of the island. Then Dave set up a shout of dismay. "What is it?" questioned the captain and the doctor quickly. "Savages! They are after us in their canoes!" The young diver spoke the truth. There, at no great distance from the island shore, were two long war canoes, each filled with the enemy. As soon as the savages discovered the whites they set up a mad yell of delight, and then hurried in pursuit of our friends. CHAPTER XXIII ON THE SHIP ONCE MORE "We are in for it now!" cried Dave, as he watched the approach of the two war canoes loaded down with savages. "It certainly looks like it," muttered Captain Broadbeam, grimly. "Well, a man can die but once, and we had better fight to the bitter end." "That is true," came from Doctor Barrell. "But I am afraid that three against two dozen or more will make a poor showing." The savages now became aware that they were discovered, and they set up a fierce shout. Those at the long sweeps began to row more swiftly than ever, as if thirsting for the blood of the whites. "If we only had a gun or two," said Dave. "But we haven't a thing." "Only the oars, and they'll make poor weapons," answered Captain Broadbeam. "I'm afraid it's all up with us, lad. We must look for the worst." "Can't we outdistance them by rowing?" "I think not." "But we might reach shore again and take to the jungle. That will be better than being slaughtered on the ocean." "Yes, yes, let us try for the shore!" burst out the doctor. "We have at least a fighting chance of reaching it." As quickly as possible the rowboat was turned about, and its bow pointed to a distant headland. All pulled with might and main, the perspiration pouring down their faces and backs. But it was useless. The war canoes crept closer and closer. And now, as if to make doubly sure of them, there suddenly appeared upon the beach another crowd of natives, brandishing knives and war clubs. The din was hideous, and the cry from the shore was echoed and re-echoed by the savages in the canoes. They felt certain that the whites would become their prisoners. Captain, doctor, and young diver looked at each other with blanched faces. They felt that their last hour on earth was at hand. Swiftly the war canoes came closer. Then of a sudden something happened which came as a great shock to our friends and as an even greater shock to the savages. Boom! Dull and sullen a ship's gun boomed out and a shot sped across the bow of the foremost of the canoes. "A shot!" ejaculated Captain Broadbeam, leaping to his feet. "What can it mean?" "It means that there is a steamship in sight!" cried Dave. "See the smoke around the bend of the island. Here she comes!" "It is the _Swallow_!" came from the doctor. "Heaven be praised!"