But in the excitement of the moment I never gave this a thought.

Had I only left my faithful natives behind all might have been well.

Yamba and I kept the canoe well ahead, and we reached the neighbourhood of the ship first.
As we approached, the excitement of the girls was painful to witness.
They could scarcely contain themselves for joy; and as I forcibly prevented them from standing up in the frail canoe, they contented themselves with frantically waving their hands and screaming themselves hoarse.
Nearing the vessel I was surprised to see the top-sail being hoisted, but, strange to say, the crew kept well out of sight.

This was easy to do, considering the spread of canvas.

She was not a Malay vessel, being decidedly of European rig.