s almost closed, as
though they were weak and troubled by the glare of the sun. With their
half-closed eyes they blinked at me, and then one who appeared to be
their chief spoke to me. I understood not a word; and then I answered
him in English, which, of course, was equally unintelligible to him.
I then made signs, pointing to the mountains and endeavoring to make
known to him that I had come from beyond them--that I had suffered
shipwreck, that I had drifted here, and that I needed assistance. Of
all this it was quite evident that they understood nothing except the
fact that I needed help. The moment that they comprehended this they
took me in tow and rowed back to the galley.

I found the galley to be about one hundred and fifty feet in length.
For about two thirds of this length forward it was open and filled
with seats, where there were about a hundred rowers, who all looked
like those that I had first seen, all being of small stature,
slender frames, and, moreover, all being apparently distressed by
the sunlight. There was in all of them the same mild and gentle
expression. In complexion and general outline of features they were
not unlike Arabs, but they were entirely destitute of that hardness
and austerity which the latter have. They all had beards, which were
dressed in a peculiar way in plaits. Their costume varied. The rowers
wore a coarse tunic, with a girdle of rope. The officers wore tunics
of fine cloth and very elegant mantles, richly embroidered, and with
borders of down. They all wore broad-brimmed hats, and the one who
seemed to be chief had on his some golden ornaments.

Here once more I tried to explain to them who I was. They looked at
me, examining me all over, inspecting my gun, pistol, coat, trousers,
boots, and hat, and talking all the time among themselves. They did
not touch me, but merely showed the natural curiosity which is felt at
the sight of a foreigner who has appeared unexpectedly. There was a
scrupulous delicacy and a careful and even ceremonious politeness in
their attitude toward me which was at once amazing and delightful. All
fear and anxiety had now left me; in the gentle manners and amiable
faces of these people I saw enough to assure me of kind treatment;
and in my deep joy and gratitude for this even my hunger was for a
time forgotten.

At length the chief motioned to me to follow him. He led the way to
the cabin, where, opening the door, he entered, and I followed, after