- end_line
- 7868
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:15.153Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 7849
- text
- escape from a swarm which had attacked his own end of the canoe.
It was now proposed to try the water; so a small fishing canoe, hauled
up near by, was quickly launched; and paddling a good distance off, we
dropped overboard the native contrivance for an anchor—a heavy stone,
attached to a cable of braided bark. At this part of the island the
encircling reef was close to the shore, leaving the water within
smooth, and extremely shallow.
It was a blessed thought! We knew nothing till sunrise, when the motion
of our aquatic cot awakened us. I looked up, and beheld Zeke wading
toward the shore, and towing us after him by the bark cable. Pointing
to the reef, he told us we had had a narrow escape.
It was true enough; the water-sprites had rolled our stone out of its
noose, and we had floated away.
- title
- Chunk 2