168 
THE ANDAMAN GEOIIP, 
ustLl every bone was broken ; but the flesh wras not cut 
off, nor any limb severed/'* 
Colonel Syraes, who appears to have been much interested 
in these poor savages, gives several anecdotes ilhistrative of 
the more pleasing side of their character. Two young 
women, aUui'ed by the temptation of fish, were secured 
and brought on board a ship at anchor in the harbour ; 
the captain treated them with great humanity; they soon 
got rid of all fear of violence, except what might be 
offered to their chastity, which they guarded with unre- 
mitting vigilance. Although they had a small apartment 
allotted to themselves^ and had no real cause for appre- 
hension, one always watched whilst the other slept ; they 
suffered clothes to be put on, but took them off again as 
soon aa opportunity offered, and threw them away as 
useless incumbrances. When their fears were over they 
became cheerful, chattered with freedom, and were inex- 
pressibly diverted at the sight of their own persons in a 
mirror. They were fond of singing, sometimes in melan- 
choly recitative, at others in a lively key; and often 
danced about the deck with great agility, slapping the 
lower part of their bodies with the back of their heels. 
Wine and spirituous liquors were disagreeable to them ; 
no food seemed so palatable as fish, lice, and sugar. In 
a few weeks, having recovered strength and become fat, 
from the more than half-famished state in which they 
were brought on board, they hegan to think confinement 
irksome, and longed to regain their native freedom. 
" In the middle of the night, when all but the watch- 
♦ Embassy to Ava," 2nd el Note to p. 512. 
