. The indolence of the natives,
which not even the fear of starvation itself can rouse to exertion,
prevents their undertaking the least toil, although a little labor, well
applied, might be made to render them infinitely more comfortable.[5]

Strange as it may appear, it is nevertheless true, that, notwithstanding
they are in this miserable condition, with no prospect of its ever being
improved, they are of the opinion that they are highly favored. This can
be accounted for in no other way than by the fact, that they are
entirely ignorant of all that lies beyond the narrow limits of their
observation. They know nothing of any other portion of the globe, than
the mere speck of barren land upon which by some accident they were
thrown, and where they remain, to drag out a wretched existence. Their
traditions do not extend further back than to about a hundred years;
and, to their simple minds, it seems like a splendid effort of mind to
be able to relate, with tolerable accuracy, the time-hallowed stories
told them by their parents. Whether they could in any way be improved by
instruction, is a question which it would be difficult to answer. They
seem to be doomed to remain, as one of the last links in the chain that
connects our race with the mere animal part of the creation.

FOOTNOTES:

[4] They occasionally wore a kind of broad hat, called by them _shappo_,
and sometimes _shambararo_; which are evidently derived from the
Portuguese _chapeo_ (or possibly the French _chapeau_) and the Spanish
_sombrero_.--_Edit._

[5] Some of these remarks are taken from the New York Sun of May 30,
1835; for which paper the substance of them was furnished by Mr. Nute
and myself.

CHAPTER VIII.

A ship discovered at a small distance from the island.--The natives
prepare to go on board of her.--Captain Barnard and Bartlet
Rollins, after being severely beaten, are allowed to go with the
natives in their canoes, and thus effect their escape; the rest of
the Mentor's people are still forcibly detained on the
island.--Their hopes of being taken on board of the same ship are
suddenly blasted.--Their despondency on that
disappointment.--Return of the natives from the ship; their rage,
and quarrels about the division of the articles procured on board
of her.--They threaten to wreak their vengeance on the Mentor's
people that remained with them.--Their cruel treatment of them.--A