land, spread round the base of the mountains, except at the point
immediately opposite the large valley, where a river seemed to
carry the trees, as it were, along with it down to the white sandy
shore. The mountain tops, unlike those of our Coral Island, were
sharp, needle-shaped, and bare, while their sides were more rugged
and grand in outline than anything I had yet seen in those seas.
Bloody Bill was beside me when the island first hove in sight.

"Ha!" he exclaimed, "I know that island well. They call it Emo."

"Have you been here before, then?" I inquired.

"Ay, that I have, often, and so has this schooner. 'Tis a famous
island for sandal-wood. We have taken many cargoes off it already,
and have paid for them too; for the savages are so numerous that we
dared not try to take it by force. But our captain has tried to
cheat them so often, that they're beginnin' not to like us overmuch
now. Besides, the men behaved ill the last time we were here; and
I wonder the captain is not afraid to venture. But he's afraid o'
nothing earthly, I believe."

We soon ran inside the barrier coral-reef, and let go our anchor in
six fathoms water, just opposite the mouth of a small creek, whose
shores were densely covered with mangroves and tall umbrageous
trees. The principal village of the natives lay about half a mile
from this point. Ordering the boat out, the captain jumped into
it, and ordered me to follow him. The men, fifteen in number, were
well armed; and the mate was directed to have Long Tom ready for
emergencies.