APPENDIX. 



133 



went down the river at an amazing rate ; and, just before night, 

 they put ashore upon a stony beach. They hauled the canoe up, 

 and all disappeared in a moment, and I was left quite alone : it 

 rained violently, and was very dark. I thought it was as well to lie 

 down upon the beach, half-side in water, as to get into a swamp 

 under a dropping tree. In this dismal situation I fell asleep, and 

 awaked three or fbur hours after in such agonies with the cramp, 

 that I thought I must die upon the spot. I attempted several times 

 to raise myself upon my legs, but could not. At last, I made 

 shift to get upon my knees, and, looking towards the wood, I 

 saw a great fire at some distance from me. I was a long time 

 crawling to it ; and when I reached it, I threw myself almost into it, 

 in hopes of finding some rehef from the pain I suffered. This in- 

 trusion gave great offence to the Indians, who immediately got up, 

 kicking and beating me till they drove me to some distance from it ; 

 however, I contrived, a little after, to place myself so as to receive 

 some warmth from it ; by which I got rid of the cramp. In the morn- 

 ing, we left this place, and were soon after out of the river. Being 

 now at sea again, the Indians intended putting ashore at the first 

 convenient place to look for shell-fish, their stock of provisions 

 having been quite exhausted for some time. At low water we 

 landed upon a spot that seemed to promise well ; and here we found 

 plenty of limpets. Though at this time starving, I did not attempt 

 to eat one, lest I should lose a moment in gathering them ; not 

 knowing how soon the Indians might be going again. I had almost 

 filled my hat, when I saw them returning to the canoe. I made 

 what haste I could to her ; for I believe they would have made no 

 conscience of leaving me behind. I sat down to my oar again, 

 placing my hat close to me, every now and then eating a limpet. 

 The Indians were employed the same way, when one of them seeing 

 me throw the shells overboard, spoke to the rest in a violent passion ; 

 and, getting up, fell upon me, and seizing me by an old ragged hand- 

 kerchief I had about my neck, almost throttled me ; whilst another 

 took me by the legs, and was going to throw me overboard, if the 

 old woman had not prevented them. I was all this time entirely 

 ignorant by what means I had given offence, till I observed that the 

 Indians, after eating the limpets, carefully put the shells in a heap at 

 the bottom of the canoe. I then concluded there was some super- 

 stition about throwing these shells into the sea, my ignorance of 



