Such is the nature of the country; it is for you to
see to it that we may be able to hold our own
in war with so many tribes and get our living."
"What are their numbers in all ?" said I.
"More than a thousand," he replied.
"And what arms have they?"
"None," said he, "except fish-bones."
"Very well, then," I said; "it would be best to
engage them in battle, for they are unarmed and



 

we are armed. If we overcome them we shall
dwell without fear of molestation for the future."
This course was determined on, and we went
back to the ship and made ourselves ready. The
day for paying the tribute was at hand, and we
were going to make a refusal to pay it the ground
of war.
Sure enough, the savages sent messengers to demand the tribute, but our friends answered them scornfully and chased them away.
The Skaitfeet and the Crayfish were the first to
advance, furious with Skintharos-for that was
his name—and making a great noise.