the least of all mankind given to forethought, they gave it
over, and away they strolled about the country again; and I heard one of
them say aloud to another, calling them off from the boat, "Why, let her
alone, Jack, can't you? she'll float next tide;" by which I was fully
confirmed in the main inquiry of what countrymen they were. All this
while I kept myself very close, not once daring to stir out of my castle
any farther than to my place of observation near the top of the hill: and
very glad I was to think how well it was fortified. I knew it was no
less than ten hours before the boat could float again, and by that time
it would be dark, and I might be at more liberty to see their motions,
and to hear their discourse, if they had any. In the meantime I fitted
myself up for a battle as before, though with more caution, knowing I had
to do with another kind of enemy than I had at first. I ordered Friday
also, whom I had made an excellent marksman with his gun, to load himself
with arms. I took myself two fowling-pieces, and I gave him three
muskets. My figure, indeed, was very fierce; I had my formidable
goat-skin coat on, with the great cap I have mentioned, a naked sword by
my side, two pistols in my belt, and a gun upon each shoulder.

It was my design, as I said above, not to have made any attempt till it
was dark; but about two o'clock, being the heat of the day, I found that
they were all gone straggling into the woods, and, as I thought, laid
down to sleep. The three poor distressed men, too anxious for their
condition to get any sleep, had, however, sat down under the shelter of a
great tree, at about a quarter of a mile from me, and, as I thought, out
of sight of any of the rest. Upon this I resolved to discover myself to
them, and learn something of their condition; immediately I marched as
above, my man Friday at a good distance behind me, as formidable for his
arms as I, but not making quite so staring a spectre-like figure as I
did. I came as near them undiscovered as I could, and then, before any
of them saw me, I called aloud to them in Spanish, "What are ye,
gentlemen?" They started up at the noise, but were ten times more
confounded when they saw me, and the uncouth figure that I made. They
made no answer at all, but I thought I perceived them just going to fly
from me, when I spoke to them in English. "Gentlemen," said I, "do not be
surprised at me; perhaps you may have a friend near when