plied his paddles with great quickness; but, alas! his pursuers were equally expert in that art. The yells and screams of the pursuers, which pierced the still night air, nearly frightened poor Lindigo to death. However, by the encouraging words of her guide, she endeavoured to keep her spirits up.
One canoe, which shot ahead of the rest, closed upon them at every stroke, when Matoka uttered the word Bungilina, which sent a thrill of horror through Lindigo's heart, knowing the chiefs superiority in propelling his canoe. The chase now became exciting and alarming to the fugitives, for the chief's canoe was almost abreast of them, apparently Bungilina had the intention of heading them.
The brothers now strained every nerve, when the chiefs wounded arm began to bleed, which greatly weakened him, and was thus unable to gain an inch.
Seeing himself likely to be defeated, he seized his boomerang, and hurled it violently at the fugitives, but fortunately missed them, striking, however, the side of their canoe, which, being nearly cut in two, sunk instantly under them. As Lindigo was sinking, her faithful dog, for the second time, saved her life by holding her up, when the chief once more had her in his power, and she again became his captive. The faithful Matoka was picked up, greatly exhausted, by one of the canoes, and brought back a prisoner to the camp.
Next day the sentence was passed on Matoka for attempting to carry off the white captive, thus violating the strict laws of his brother the chief, and the whole tribe, who had prophesied their own extirpation should Lindigo be restored to her own race, having no doubt but that she would reveal their sacrificing her shipwrecked companions.
The sentence passed on warriors holding such a high position as Matoka did, was generally to have a certain number of spears thrown at him, according to the nature and extent of his offence, and should he be skilful and active enough to ward them off with his narrow shield, he would be forgiven and raised to a higher rank. But on the other hand, should he be unfortunate, enough
