"Do you think you could walk a little, Nelatu?"
The brandy had by this time produced an effect. Its potent spirit
supplied the loss of blood, and Nelatu felt his strength returning to
him.
"I will try," said the wounded youth. "Nelatu's hour has not yet come.
He must not die till he has paid his debt to Warren."
"Then lean on me. My canoe is close by. Once in it you can rest at
your ease."
Nelatu nodded consent.
Warren assisted him to rise, and, half carrying, half supporting,
conducted him to the canoe.
Carefully helping him aboard, he shoved the craft from the shore, and
turned its prow in the direction of the white settlement.
The moon, that had become again obscured, once more burst through the
black clouds, lighting up the fronds of the feathery palms that flung
their shadows far over the pellucid waves.
The concert of the nocturnal forest, for a time stayed by the report of
the rifle, burst out anew as the boat glided silently out of sight.