ans would move, but they did not. They perhaps felt
that they had no chance with us, having all the fire-arms and an open
beach in our favour. We launched our canoe without further interruption
on their part, and in a few minutes, taking care to be out of arrow
distance, we passed the rock with our head to the northward. When about
two miles off, we perceived the Indians to descend from the rock and
walk away into the woods.

"Let us praise God for this miraculous escape," said I to the
Portuguese.

"I do; and the holy patron saint who has preserved me," replied the
Portuguese captain; "but I am still heavy at heart. I feel that we have
escaped only to come into more strange and fresh calamity. I shall
never get back to Lisbon,--that I feel convinced of."

I tried all I could to encourage him, but it was of no avail, he told me
that the presentiment was too strong, and could not be overcome by any
argument. Indeed, he appeared to have allowed the idea so to have taken
possession of his mind, that his reason became enervated; and, having
heard how the Indians burnt their prisoners, he talked about martyrdom
at the stake, and rising up to heaven in great glory, there to be
received by the whole body of saints and legions of angels.

"What is the use of our thus labouring at the paddle?" said he; "why not
at once let us go ashore and receive the crown of martyrdom? I am
ready; for I long for the hour, and shall rejoice."

I said all I could to keep him quiet, but it was useless; and such was
his insanity, that he gradually neared the shore by steering against me
with his paddle, so that I could not prevent it. I had drawn the shaft
of the arrow through his arm, and he appeared to feel no pain. I
expostulated with him at his keeping the canoe so near the shore, but he
smiled and gave no reply.

We had the stream against us and made but little way, and it vexed me
very much to hear him talk so loud as he did, as the Indians must have
heard him, and I thought would follow us along the coast; but he
ransacked the whole book of martyrs, telling me how one had his body
sawn in two, another was pinched to death; this one burnt, that
tortured; every variety of death he entered upon during the whole of
that day without ceasing.

I ascribed much of this to the pain arising from the wounded arm,
notwithstanding which he paddled with as much vigour as ever. As the
night came on I entreated him to hold his tongue, but