1769. ROUND THE WORLD. 283 



and convenience. Thus far my intentions certainly 

 were not criminal ; and though in the contest, w^hich 

 T had not the least reason to expect, our victory 

 might have been complete without so great an ex- 

 pence of life ; yet in such situations, when the com- 

 mand to fire has been given, no man can restrain its 

 excess, or prescribe its effect. 



As soon as the poor wretches whom we had taken 

 out of the water were in the boat, they squatted 

 down, expecting no doubt instantly to be put to death : 

 we made haste to convince them of the contrary, by 

 every method in our power ; we furnished them with 

 clothes, and gave them every other testimony of 

 kindness that could remove their fears and engage 

 their good-will. Those who are acquainted with hu- 

 man nature will not wonder, that the sudden joy of 

 these young savages at being unexpectedly delivered 

 from the fear of death, and kindly treated by those 

 whom they supposed would have been their instant 

 executioners, surmounted their concern for the friends 

 they had lost, and was strongly expressed in their 

 countenances and behaviour. Before we reached the 

 ship, their suspicions and fears being wholly removed, 

 they appeared to be not only reconciled to their situ- 

 ation but in high spirits, and upon being offered some 

 bread when they came on board, they devoured it 

 with a voracious appetite. They answered and asked 

 many questions, with great appearance of pleasure 

 and curiosity ; and when our dinner came, they ex- 

 pressed an inclination to taste every thing that they 

 saw : they seemed best pleased with the salt pork, 

 though we had other provisions upon the table. At 

 sun-set, they eat another meal with great eagerness, 

 each devouring a large quantity of bread, and drink- 

 ing above a quart of water. We then made them 

 beds upon the lockers, and they went to sleep with 

 great seeming content. In the night, however, the 

 tumult of their minds having subsided, and given 

 way to reflection, they sighed often and loud. Tu- 



