( 3 2 * ) 



which followed the ihallop, had a good deal of dif- 

 ficulty to live; and the raft which carried two and 

 twenty men, was driven fo far out by the current, 

 that we believed her loft. 



The fhallop in which I was, made all pofiible 

 hade afhore, in order to go afterwards to the af- 

 fiftance of the reft; but juft as we were ready to 

 land, we perceived a large company of Indians, 

 armed with bows and arrows coming down to the 

 fea fide. This fight made us reflect that we had 

 no arms •, and we ftopt fome time, not daring to 

 advance. We even imagined, every thing con- 

 fidered, it would be imprudent to go any further. 

 The Indians perceived our embaraffment, and ea- 

 fily underftood the caufe. They drew near us, 

 calling out in Spanilh, that they were friends. 

 But feeing that this did not encourage us, they laid 

 down their arms and came towards us, having the 

 water up to their middle. 



We were foon furrounded by them, and it is 

 certain that encumbered as we were with baggage, in 

 a boat where we could hardly turn ourfelves about; 

 it would have been eafy for them to have deftroyed 

 us. They afked us firft if we were Englifhmen ? 

 we anfwered that we were not, but good friends 

 and allies to the Spaniards ; at which they tefti- 

 fied a great deal of joy, inviting us to come afhore 

 on their ifland, and affuring us that we fhould be 

 as fafe there as aboard our own vefTel. Diftruft, on 

 certain occafions, (hews only weaknefs, and be- 

 fides gives rife to dangerous fufpicions. We there- 

 fore thought we ought to accept the invitation of 

 thefe barbarians; fo we followed them to their 

 iiland, which we found to be one of the Mar- 

 tyrs, 



What 



