We were assisted in our frantic demonstration by quite a crowd of natives with branches; and I think it possible that, even if we had been seen, the people on the ship would have mistaken our efforts for a more hostile demonstration.
When it was too late, and the ship almost out of sight, I suddenly realised that I had made another fatal mistake in having the blacks with me.

Had I and the two girls been alone on the beach I feel sure the officers of the ship would have detected our white skins through their glasses.

But, indeed, we may well have escaped notice altogether.
There was a terrible scene when the supposed Government vessel turned back on her course and passed swiftly out of sight.

The girls threw themselves face downwards on the beach, and wept wildly and hysterically in the very depths of violent despair.

I can never hope to tell you what a bitter and agonising experience it was--the abrupt change from delirious excitement at seeing a ship steering right into our bay, to the despairing shock of beholding it turn away from us even quicker than it came..