508 
riley's narrative. 
whole party presented a compound of ugliness, 
misery, and ferocity. They soon began an in- 
discriminate plunder, which Riley did not resist, 
dreading that, if enraged, they might soon collect 
more strength. The Arabs emptied trunks, boxes, 
chests ; they cut the beds, and valuing only the 
cloth, amused themselves with seeing the feathers 
fly before the wind. Some fine silk lace veils and 
handkerchiefs they wrapt round their legs, or 
about their heads like turbans. After this visi- 
tation 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 augmented body of Arabs made 
their appearance, and by friendly signs invited 
the captain to come on shore. He was so far 
overcome by false confidence, or the necessity of 
his situation, as to comply. 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 ob- 
ject of these menaces w^as to induce him to bring 
on shore his treasure, and deliver it into their 
hands. A large basket of dollars was according- 
ly sent in, which they took and divided, but im- 
mediately 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 
