Before all this work had been completed, however, we saw two of the Typees coming down the mountain-side, escorting a third person whom we knew full well was none other than Benson, and the question as to whether our captain would take any trouble to save the life of a Britisher was answered. Phil and I were near the beach when this party came in, waving green palm-leaves, which answered the purpose of a white flag; and while they halted, awaiting some word from the ship as to where they should leave the living peace-offering, we two lads had an opportunity of holding converse with our enemy. [Illustration: THE PARTY CAME IN, WAVING GREEN PALM-LEAVES.] He was as humble and friendly as possible, as well he might be, considering the fact that we had been the means of saving him from being served up as a Typee roast or stew. "If ever it comes my way, I'll do you boys a good turn," he said in a tone of thankfulness, and I was disposed to let the promise pass without comment; but Phil did not hold the same opinion. "That is to say, you count on being friendly to us until another chance comes your way of selling us to the whalers, or of seeing us roasted and eaten," he said angrily; whereupon Benson replied with what I believed was sincere regret for having attempted to do us bodily harm:-- "If you'd been in my position since yesterday, you'd know full well that I couldn't be other than thankful for what you have done." "I allow we were in much the same situation when you had us in your keeping, and was determined we should be roasted!" the lad said hotly. "But for the fact that the Typees got the worst of the battle, we'd be ready for cooking this very minute." Benson could make no reply to what was neither more nor less than the truth, and he hung his head, as seemed to me most proper. After a few moments of silence he asked:-- "Do you know what your captain counts on doing with me?" "He isn't in the custom of telling the crew what he proposes to do," Phil said curtly; "but this you can set down for a fact, that if he turns you loose around the bay, you'd better be mighty careful, for there are those among the men who wouldn't count it a crime to kill you as they would a mad dog." By this time a boat had come ashore from the _Essex_; Benson and the Typees who had brought him in were taken on board, and we did not get a glimpse of the Britisher until many days afterward. The natives, however, came ashore half an hour later and were conducted by our men a short distance up the mountain, lest the Happars, disregarding the flag of truce, should set upon them.