{"id":"01KG8AM0FS5EJDSR848ZX45TX4","cid":"bafkreifsnrhcu6o7jk3xpvtpct2oo5hvpdwdtucaqruorwuu4ftki3oqte","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":4596,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:18.535Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 3","source_file":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","start_line":4541,"text":"Their craft was about thirty feet long, consisting of a pair of\r\nparallel canoes, very narrow, and at the distance of a yard or so,\r\nlengthwise, united by stout cross-timbers, lashed across the four\r\ngunwales. Upon these timbers was a raised platform or dais, quite dry;\r\nand astern an arched cabin or tent; behind which, were two broad-bladed\r\npaddles terminating in rude shark-tails, by which the craft was\r\nsteered.\r\n\r\nThe yard, spreading a yellow sail, was a crooked bough, supported\r\nobliquely in the crotch of a mast, to which the green bark was still\r\nclinging. Here and there were little tufts of moss. The high, beaked\r\nprow of that canoe in which the mast was placed, resembled a rude\r\naltar; and all round it was suspended a great variety of fruits,\r\nincluding scores of cocoanuts, unhusked. This prow was railed off,\r\nforming a sort of chancel within.\r\n\r\nThe foremost beam, crossing the gunwales, extended some twelve feet\r\nbeyond the side of the dais; and at regular intervals hereupon, stout\r\ncords were fastened, which, leading up to the head of the mast,\r\nanswered the purpose of shrouds. The breeze was now streaming fresh;\r\nand, as if to force down into the water the windward side of the craft,\r\nfive men stood upon this long beam, grasping five shrouds. Yet they\r\nfailed to counterbalance the pressure of the sail; and owing to the\r\nopposite inclination of the twin canoes, these living statues were\r\nelevated high above the water; their appearance rendered still more\r\nstriking by their eager attitudes, and the apparent peril of their\r\nposition, as the mad spray from the bow dashed over them. Suddenly, the\r\nIslanders threw their craft into the wind; while, for ourselves, we lay\r\non our oars, fearful of alarming them by now coming nearer. But hailing\r\nthem again, we said we were friends; and had friendly gifts for them,\r\nif they would peaceably permit us to approach. This understood, there\r\nensued a mighty clamor; insomuch, that I bade Jarl and Samoa out oars,\r\nand row very gently toward the strangers. Whereupon, amid a storm of\r\nvociferations, some of them hurried to the furthest side of their dais;\r\nstanding with arms arched over their heads, as if for a dive; others\r\nmenacing us with clubs and spears; and one, an old man with a bamboo\r\ntrellis on his head forming a sort of arbor for his hair, planted\r\nhimself full before the tent, stretching behind him a wide plaited\r\nsling.\r\n\r\nUpon this hostile display, Samoa dropped his oar, and brought his piece\r\nto bear upon the old man, who, by his attitude, seemed to menace us\r\nwith the fate of the great braggart of Gath. But I quickly knocked down\r\nthe muzzle of his musket, and forbade the slightest token of hostility;\r\nenjoining it upon my companions, nevertheless, to keep well on their\r\nguard.\r\n\r\nWe now ceased rowing, and after a few minutes’ uproar in the canoe,\r\nthey ran to the steering-paddles, and forcing round their craft before\r\nthe wind, rapidly ran away from us. With all haste we set our sail, and\r\npulling also at our oars, soon overtook them, determined upon coming\r\ninto closer communion.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 3"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJS9JV4FB7X55DNGV9GJK","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AM0FD0NWWR84AEPWDG9NG","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:23.033Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:29.563Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}