hanging by my side.

It was my design at first not to make any attempt till it was dark; and
it being now two o'clock, in the very heat of the day, the sailors were
all straggling in the woods, and undoubtedly were lain down to sleep.
The three poor distressed creatures, too anxious to get any repose, were
however seated under the shade of a great tree, about a quarter of a
mile from me. Upon which, without any more ado, I approached towards
them, with my man following behind me, and before I was perceived, I
called aloud to them in Spanish, _What are ye, Gentlemen_.

At these words, they started up in great confusion, when they beheld the
strange figure I made; they returned no answer, but seemed as if they
would fly from me: 'Gentlemen,' said I, in English 'don't be afraid,
perhaps you have a friend nearer than you expect.' _He must be from
Heaven_, said one of them, gravely pulling off his hat, _for we are past
all help in this world._ 'All help is from Heaven,' said I: 'But Sir, as
I have perceived every action between you and these brutes since your
landing only inform me, how to assist you, and I will do it to the
utmost of my power.'

_Am I talking with God or man_, said he, in melting tears. _Are you of
human kind or an angel_? 'Sir,' said I, 'my poor habit will tell you I
am a man, and an Englishman, willing to assist you, having but this
servant only: here are arms and ammunition: tell freely your condition:
Can we save you?' _The story_, said he, _is too long to relate, since
our butchers are so near: but, Sir, I was master of that ship, my men
have mutinied, and it is a favour they have put my mate, this
passenger, and me, on shore without murdering us, though we expect
nothing but perishing here_. 'Are your enemies gone?' said I. _No_,
replied he, pointing to a thicket, _there they lie, while my heart
trembles, lest having seen and heard us they should murder us all._
'Have they fire arms?' said I. _They have but two pieces_, said he, _one
of which is left in the boat._ He also told me there were two enormous
villains among them, that were the authors of this mutiny, who, if they
were killed or seized, might induce the rest to return to their
obedience. 'Well, well,' said I, 'let us retire farther under the
covering of the woods;' and there it was I made these conditions
with him:

[Illustration: R. Crusoe accosting the Captain, &c. set ashore by the
Mutineers.]

I. That, while they staid in the isla