136 
LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 
fortunes, whose exertions had hitherto assisted me, now ap- 
peared only to be a prey to satisfy my hunger ; and I read the 
same sentiment in their greedy looks. 
I know not whither these ferocious dispositions would have 
led us, when suddenly the accents of a human voice were 
heard in the forest. At the same instant we discovered two 
Indians armed with muskets, Vvho did not appear to have yet 
perceived us. This sudden appearance reviving our courage, 
gave us strength to rise and advance toward them with all 
the despatch we were able. 
As soon as they saw us they stopped, as if their feet had 
been nailed to the ground. They looked steadfastly at us, mo- 
tionless with surprise and horror. Beside the astonishment 
that must naturally have been excited in them at the unexpect- 
ed meeting with six strangers in a desert corner of the island, 
our appearance alone was sufficient to shock the most intrepid. 
Our clothes hanging in rags, our eyes concealed by the bloated 
prominence of our livid cheeks, the monstrous bulk to which 
all our limbs were swelled, our long and shaggy beards, our 
hair flowing in disorder down our shoulders, must, altogether, 
have given us a frightful appearance. However, as we ad- 
vanced, a thousand agreeable sensations were displayed in our 
countenances : some shed tears and others laughed for joy. 
Though these peaceable signs were calculated in some de- 
gree to move the fears of the Indians, they did not yet mani- 
fest the least inclination to approach us, and certainly the dis- 
gust which our whole figure must have produced sufficiently 
justified their coldness. I therefore resolved to advance to- 
ward him who was nearest to me, holding out one hand to 
him in a supplicating attitude. He seized it and gave it a 
hearty shake, which is the mode of salutation usual among 
these savages. 
They then began to manifest some marks of compassion. 
I made a sign to them to come toward our fire ; they accom- 
panied us in silence and sat down near us. One of them, 
who spoke bad French, begged us, in that language, to inform 
them whence we came, and what accident had conducted us 
to that spot. I hastened to give him as brief an account as 
possible of th« misfortunes and sufferings we had experienced. 
As he seemed to be deeply affected by my narrative, i asked 
him if he could furnish us with any provisions. He replied 
in the affirmative ; but seeing that our fire was almost out, he 
rose abruptly and seized our hatchet, at which he looked for a 
moment smiling, as I imagined, at the bad condition in which 
