ir faces with
their hands, and screamed out with horrid cries. We had now every reason
to believe these people were acquainted with Europeans. Their gestures,
and operations in order to surround us, bore no favourable aspect. I
therefore charged my unfortunate companions, by all means to keep
together, and to proceed in order, till I should be within hearing of
the natives. In my former voyages to Senegal, I had acquired a few
Arabian words, which I hoped would prove useful on this occasion. First,
then, I fastened a white handkerchief to the top of my cane, in the
manner of a flag. Perhaps, thought I, they may have some acquaintance
with this signal, the rather, if any of them may have seen it at
Senegal, or if they have observed any vessel on their coasts, they may
perhaps conceive that we are unhappy Frenchmen whom shipwreck has thrown
on their coasts.

When we drew near to the savages, some of our people, among whom were
the first and second lieutenants, went apart from the rest; they were
immediately beset and seized by the collar. It was not till this moment,
that, by the reflection of the sun upon the polished steel of their
poignards, we observed they were armed. Ignorant of this, I had
consequently advanced without fear. As the two unhappy men who had been
seized did not appear again, I did what I could to compose my
companions; but my attempts were vain; terror seized them, and they all
began to cry out in despair, and disperse from one another. The Arabs,
armed with great cutlasses and small clubs, fell upon them with
incredible ferocity; and I soon saw some of them lying wounded, and
others stript and naked, stretched out expiring on the sand.

Amidst this horrid massacre, I observed an unarmed Arab. From his
appearance, I conceived he was one of those who had accompanied Prince
Allicoury, in a former visit which he made to the Isle of St Louis. I
immediately ran up to him, and threw myself into his arms. After
examining me some time, he cast a disdainful look on me, on the Sieur
Devoise, the mate of the ship, and five others of my companions who
never would leave me, sufficient to convince us our situation was not
more favourable than our neighbours. He then took my hand, examined it
attentively, counted my fingers, slipped his hand into mine, and, after
making several motions with his head, he inquired at me, Who are you?
What are you doing here? How came you hither? I traced upon the sand,
the figure of