e regaling ourselves
round a large fire, some wild beast gave a roar in the bushes. Some who
had been in India before, declared it was the jackall; we therefore,
concluded the lion could not be far off. Some were jocularly observing
what a glorious supper the lord of the forest would make of us; but
others were rather troubled with the dismaloes. This gave a gloomy turn
to the conversation; and our minds having been previously much engaged
with savages and wild beasts, and our bodies worn out through famine and
watching, I believe the contagious effects of fear became pretty general.
From Bligh's narrative, and others, we had been warned of the danger of
landing in any other part of the island of Timor but Coupang, the Dutch
settlement, as they were represented hostile and savage.

It is customary with those people, as we afterwards learnt, to do their
hard work, such as beating out their rice at night, to avoid the
scorching heat of the sun; and the whole village, which was about two
miles off, joined in the general song, which every where chears and
accompanies labour. As they had made us great offers for some cartridges
of powder, which our duty could not suffer us to part with, we
immediately interpreted this song into the war-hoop, and concluded, that
they were going to take by force what they could not gain by entreaty.
Nature, however, at last worn out, inclined to rest. The First Lieutenant
and Master went on board of the boats, which were at anchor in the middle
of the river, for the better security of the prisoners; and, ranging
ourselves round, with our feet to the fire, went to sleep.

At dawn of day, the master gave the huntsman's hollow, which some, from
being suddenly awaked, thought they were attacked by the Indians. We were
all panic struck, and could not get thoroughly awaked, being so
exhausted, and overpowered with sleep. Most of us were scrambling upon
all fours down to the river, and crying for Christ's sake to have mercy
upon them, till those who were foremost in the scramble, in crawling into
the creek, got recovered from their plight by their hands being immersed
in water; yet those who were foremost in running away, were not last in
upbraiding the rest with cowardice, notwithstanding there were pretty
evident marks upon some of them, of the cold water having produced its
usual effects of micturition.

Next day we went up the creek, in one of the boats, about four miles, to
one of their towns,