and took those three out of the boat as prisoners; one of whom I
could perceive used the most passionate gestures of entreaty,
affliction, and despair, while the others in a lesser degree, showed
abundance of concern.

Not knowing the meaning of this, I was very much astonished, and I
beckoned to Friday, who was below, to ascend the mountain, and likewise
view this sight. _O master_, said he to me, _you see English mans eat
prisoners as well as Savage mans_. 'And do you think they will eat them
Friday?' said I. _Yes_, said Friday, _they eat all up_. 'No, no,' said
I, 'Friday, I am much more concerned lest they murder them, but as for
eating them up, that I am sure they will never do.'

And now I not only lamented my misfortune in not having the Spaniard and
Savage with me, but also that I could not come within shot of them
unperceived, they having no fire arms among them, and save these three
me, whom I thought they were going to kill with their swords. But some
comfort it was to me, that I perceived they were set at liberty to go
where they pleased, the rascally seamen scattering about as though they
had a mind to see the place; and so long did they negligently ramble,
that the tide had ebbed so low, as to leave the boat aground. Nor were
the two men who were in her more circumspect; for having drunk a little
too much liquor, they fell fast asleep; but one of them waking before
the other, and perceiving the boat too fast aground for his strength to
move it, he hallooed out to the rest, who made all possible expedition
to come to him; but as Providence ordered it, all their force was
ineffectual to launch her, when I could hear them speak to one another,
_Why let her alone, Jack, can't ye, she'll float next tide_; by which
words I was fully convinced they were my own countrymen. I all this
while lay very quiet, as being fully sensible it could be no less than
ten hours before the boat would be afloat, and then it would be so dark,
that they could not easily perceive me, by which means I should be at
more liberty to hear their talk, and observe all their motions: not but
that I prepared for my defence: yet, as I had another sort of enemy to
combat with I acted with more caution. I took two fusees on my shoulder,
and gave Friday three muskets; besides my formidable goat-skin coat and
monstrous cap made me look as fierce and terrible as Hercules of old,
especially when two pistols were stuck in my belt, and my naked sword