The noise of the broadside had scarcely died away, when the natives fled,
disappeared like magic, leaving many of their garments behind them.

They were making for their town, which was concealed from the view of the
rapidly nearing steamer. From her mast I could now see, flaunting the
slight breeze, the dear old Union Jack, and the banner of the Salvation
Navy! {95}

My resolution was taken in a moment. Bludger had now recovered
consciousness, and was picking up heart. I thrust into his hands one of
the branches with which we had been flogged, fastened to it a cloak of
one of the natives, bade him keep waving it from a rocky promontory, and,
rushing down to the sea, I leaped in, and swam with all my strength
towards the vessel. Weak as I was, my new hopes gave me strength, and
presently, from the crest of a wave, I saw that the people of the steamer
were lowering a boat, and rowing towards me.

In a few minutes they had reached me, my countrymen's hands were in mine.
They dragged me on board; they pulled back to their vessel; and I stood,
entirely undressed, on the deck of a British ship!

So long had I lived among people heedless of modesty that I was rushing,
with open arms, towards the officer on the quarter-deck, who was dressed
as a bishop, when I heard a scream of horror. I turned round in time to
see the bishop's wife fleeing precipitately to the cabin, and driving her
children and governess in front of her.

Then all the horror of the situation flooded my heart and brain, and I
fell fainting on the quarter-deck.