The enforced exile from home and the dreary compulsory labour made the life far worse than death for these primitive children of Nature.

Then, again, they were exiled from their wives, who would, of course, be appropriated in their absence--another tormenting thought.

They were frequently beaten with sticks, and when they attempted to run away they were speared as enemies by other tribes; whilst, in the event of their escaping altogether, they would not have been recognised even when they returned to their own homes.

One day Jacky Jacky's ship came into a little bay on the mainland for water, and then my enterprising friend, watching his opportunity, struck inland for home and liberty, accompanied by several other companions in misery.
These latter the coast natives promptly speared, but Jacky Jacky escaped, thanks probably to his knowledge of the white man's wiles.

He soon reached the more friendly mountain tribes in the interior, where he was received as a man and a brother.