WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. ^ 



southern Indians, of whom they evinced a great 

 dread. Although the disinterestedness of these 

 offers were prudently estimated, policy enjoined 

 address and conciliation to cultivate their con- 

 fidence and good opinion ; and the captain, who 

 had observed the increase of Indians, landed 

 about 2 P.M. to organise the crew and construct 

 a camp, and keeping in view these considerations, 

 accepted the services of a few as look-out men. 



A large tent was erected on the mound of 

 sand for the crew, composed of two topsails, a 

 main course, and some studding sails, and near it 

 a smaller one for the captain and officers. Into 

 this latter tent were conveyed all the small arms 

 which had been landed, cutlasses, pikes, and 

 some ball cartridges, together with any other 

 articles, which time and labour had allowed us 

 to collect and bring up for the night. The spot 

 on which we had fixed for our encampment was 

 distant from the wreck about half a mile : the 

 beach, which we learnt was about forty-five miles 

 in extent, formed the line of sea boundary to the 

 swampy, sandy marsh, in which was situated the 

 mound which held our camp. This flat extended 

 inland to a chain of irregular hills, distant four 

 or five miles, on which were visible patches of 



c 4 



