“On the fourth day of the sail, a large canoe was descried, which seemed to have touched at a low isle of corals. He steered away from it; but the savage craft bore down on him; and soon the voice of Steelkilt hailed him to heave to, or he would run him under water. The captain presented a pistol. With one foot on each prow of the yoked war-canoes, the Lakeman laughed him to scorn; assuring him that if the pistol so much as clicked in the lock, he would bury him in bubbles and foam.

“ ‘What do you want of me?’ cried the captain.

“ ‘Where are you bound? and for what are you bound?’ demanded Steelkilt; ‘no lies.’

“ ‘I am bound to Tahiti for more men.’

“ ‘Very good. Let me board you a moment⁠—I come in peace.’ With that he leaped from the canoe, swam to the boat; and climbing the gunwale, stood face to face with the captain.