Fully thirty canoes, each filled with eight or ten natives, were putting off from shore and heading toward them.

Several of the crew favored turning about, and putting to sea; but that would have been not only hopeless, but would have invited attack.

Nothing is so encouraging to an enemy as flight on the part of his opponent.

It impels him to greater exertions and gives him a bravery which otherwise he may not feel.
The savages, in their light, graceful craft, and with their great skill in manipulating them, would have overhauled the white men "hand over hand." There was a faint hope that by presenting a bold front, and acting as though they believed in the friendship of the savages that they might spare the unfortunates.

At any rate, it was clear there was no choice but to go ahead, and the white men did so, rowing leisurely and calmly, though the chances in doing so were hastening their own doom.
There could be no mistaking the ardor of the ferocious natives.