nually coming up with it and as continually
losing it again. At last, I heard the report of a musket close to
where the deer was last seen by me, and I thought that some Indian had
shot it. I walked forward, however, very cautiously, and perceived a
white man standing by the animal, which lay at his feet. I started
back, for I did not know whether I had fallen in with a friend or a
foe; but as I knew that he had not had time to reload his musket, I
hallooed to him, concealing myself at the same time behind a tree.

"Is that you, Evans?" said the man in reply.

"No," said I, "it is an Englishman."

"Well, show yourself, then," said he.

"I am dressed as an Indian," replied I; "I was taken by the Indians."

"Well, come along," said the man, who was attired as a seafaring man.

I came from behind the tree, and when he saw me he snatched up his
musket.

"Don't be afraid," said I.

"Afraid!" said he; "I should like to see what I am afraid of; but I'll
be on my guard."

"That's right," I replied.

I then told him that I had been taken by the Indians, and they saved
my life because one of their women chose me as her husband, and that I
was anxious to escape from them.

"Well," said he, "I am on board of a schooner at anchor down below in
the river. There are a few of us come on shore to get some venison,
and I have lost my comrades; but I had no idea that the Indians were
down here so close to the English settlements."

"How close are we, then?" said I; "for I know not where I am. This is
certainly not our usual hunting-ground, for I have been led many miles
from it, in pursuit of the animal you have just shot."

"Well, I thought so; for I have been on shore here more than once, and
I have never met with an Indian. You ask how far you are from the
settlement; that I can hardly tell you, because the settlers have
spread out so far; but you are about forty or fifty miles from James
Town."

"And what river, then, is your schooner at anchor in?"

"I don't know the name," replied the man; "I'm not sure that it has a
name. We come here for wood and water, because it is quiet, not
inhabited, and no questions asked."

"What are you, then?" inquired I.

"Why, to tell you the truth, we are what are called 'Jolly Rovers;'
and if you have a mind to come on board, we can find a berth for you,
I dare say."

"Many thanks," replied I; "but I am not sufficiently fond of the sea,
and I should be of no use" (for, by his t