"Pom-pom, pom-pom!"
What the phrase meant we had not the remotest idea, but that our state now
was doubly perilous the renewed hubbub and the closing circle of weapons
convinced us.
"Pom-pom, pom-pom!" Again and again in all parts of the hall we heard the
mysterious words.
Was there nothing that we could do to prove our good faith? Nothing to show
them that at least we did not come as enemies?
Over Davie Fame's face an odd expression now passed. He was staring at the
heap of melons.
"Mr. Hamlin," he said in a low voice, "if we was to cut a ship out of one
of them melons, and a boat and some men, we could show these 'ere heathen
how we didn't aim to bother them, and then maybe they'd let us go away
again."
"Davie, Davie, man," Roger cried, "there's an idea!"
I was completely bewildered. What could Davie mean, I wondered. Melons and
a ship? Were he and Roger mad? From Roger's actions I verily believed they
were.
He faced our captors for a moment as if striving to think of some way to
impress them; then, with a quick gesture, he deliberately got down on the
floor and took the chief's foot and placed it on his head, to signify that
we were completely in the fellow's power.
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