departure of our vessel.

This last addition to my stock caused a considerable protuberance
in front, which I abated in a measure by shaking the bits of bread
around my waist, and distributing the plugs of tobacco among the
folds of the garment.

Hardly had I completed these arrangements when my name was sung out
by a dozen voices, and I sprung upon the deck, where I found all the
party in the boat, and impatient to shove off. I dropped over the
side and seated myself with the rest of the watch in the stern
sheets, while the poor larboarders shipped their oars, and commenced
pulling us ashore.

This happened to be the rainy season at the islands, and the heavens
had nearly the whole morning betokened one of those heavy showers
which during this period so frequently occur. The large drops fell
bubbling into the water shortly after our leaving the ship, and by
the time we had affected a landing it poured down in torrents. We
fled for shelter under cover of an immense canoe-house which stood
hard by the beach, and waited for the first fury of the storm to
pass.

It continued, however, without cessation; and the monotonous
beating of the rain over head began to exert a drowsy influence
upon the men, who, throwing themselves here and there upon the
large war-canoes, after chatting awhile, all fell asleep.

This was the opportunity we desired, and Toby and I availed
ourselves of it at once by stealing out of the canoe-house and