28 L6SS OF THE 
were stopped by these people, who began to pilfer and insult 
them, and at last fell upon and beat them. 
Conceiving that it was the intention of the natives to kill 
them, they formed a resolution to defend themselves to the 
last extremity. Accordingly, placing the women, the chil- 
dren, and the sick at some distance, the remainder, to the num- 
ber of eighty or ninety, engaged their opponents in a kind of 
running fight for upward of two hours, when our countrymen 
gained an eminence where they could not be surrounded, and a 
kind of parley took place. In this unfortunate encounter many 
were wounded on both sides, but none killed. After a pacifi- 
cation had taken place, the English cut the buttons from their 
coats and presented them to the natives, upon which they 
went away and returned no more. 
The following night they were terrified with the noise of 
wild beasts, so that the men were obliged to keep watch to 
prevent their too near approach. What a dreadful situation, 
especially for females of delicate habits, and so lately possess- 
ing' all the luxuries that eastern refinement could afford ! 
When morning arrived they were again joined by Trout, 
who had been on board the wreck, and had loaded himself 
with various articles of iron and copper, which he wa;* carry- 
ing to his habitation. He cautioned them against making 
any resistance in future, for as they were not furnished with 
any weapons of defence, opposition would only tend to n'ritate 
the natives and increase obstructions. With this advice he 
left them. 
Having made some progress during the day, they agreed 
to pass the night near a deep gully, but were so disturbed by 
the bowlings of wild beasts that they could get but little sleep» 
Though a Jarge fire was kept up to intimidate these unwel- 
come visitors, they came so near as to occasion a general 
alarm. 
The next day as they were advancing,^ a party of natives 
came down upon them, and plundered them, among other- 
thinofs, of their tinder-box, flint, and steel, which proved an 
irreparable loss* They were now obliged to carry with them 
a fire-brand by turns, the natives following them until it was 
almost dark. At length they came to a small river, where 
they determined to stop during the night. Before the natives, 
retired they became more insolent than ever, robbing the gen-^ 
tlemen of their watches, and the ladies of the diamonds which 
they had secreted in their hair. Opposition was in vain ; the 
attempts to resist these outrages being productive of fresh in^* 
suits, and even blows^ 
