riley's NARRATIVE 
489 
sented a compound of ugliness, misery, and fero- 
city. They soon began an indiscriminate plunder, 
which Riley did not resist, dreading that, if en- 
raged, they might soon collect more strength. 
The Arabs emptied trunks, boxes, chests ; they 
cut the beds, and amused themselves with seeing 
the feathers fly before the wind, valuing only the 
cloth. Some fine silk lace veils and handker- 
chiefs they wrapt round their legs, or about their 
heads like turbans. After this visitation the crew 
again turned their eyes to the boat, with difficulty 
got it out again to sea, and reached the wreck, 
which was still above water. Soon after an aug- 
mented body of Arabs made their appearance, and 
by friendly signs invited the captain to come 
on shore. He was so far overcome by false confi- 
dence, or the necessity of his Isituation, as to com- 
ply. The moment they discovered him to be in 
their power, they began to grasp him furiously, 
and to point their spears and daggers at every part 
of his body. The object of these menaces was to 
induce him to bring on shore his treasure, and de- 
liver it into their hands. A large basket of dol- 
lars was accordingly sent in, which they took and 
divided, but immediately renewed their threats in 
order to extort still more. Riley then made signs to 
send on shore an old man, Antonio Michel, who, 
on his arrival, immediately attracted^the attention 
of the savages ; under cover of which diversion 
