to the place that, had I felt myself secure from the attack
by savages, I fancied I could have been contented to remain there till I
died of old age.

For many months the perturbation of my mind was very great; in the day
great troubles overwhelmed me, and in the night I dreamed often of
killing savages. About two years after I first knew these fears, I was
surprised one morning by seeing five canoes on the shore. I could not
tell what to think of it, so went and lay in my castle perplexed and
discomforted. At length, becoming very impatient, I clambered up to the
top of the hill and perceived, by the help of my perspective glass, no
less than thirty men dancing round a fire with barbarous gestures. While
I was looking, two miserable wretches were dragged from the boats. One
was immediately knocked down, while the other, seeing himself a little
at liberty, started away from them and ran along the sands directly
towards me. I was dreadfully frightened, that I must acknowledge, when I
perceived him run my way, especially when, as I thought, I saw him
pursued by the whole body. But my spirits began to recover when I found
that but three men followed him, and that he outstripped them
exceedingly, in running.

Presently he came to a creek and, making nothing of it, plunged in,
landed, and ran on with exceeding strength. Two of the pursuers swam the
creek, but the third went no farther, and soon after went back again. I
immediately took my two guns, ran down the hill and clapped myself in
the way between the pursuers and the pursued, hallooing aloud to him
that fled. Then, rushing on the foremost of the pursuers, I knocked him
down with the stock of my piece. The other stopped, as if frightened,
but as I came nearer, I perceived he was fitting a bow and arrow to
shoot at me; so I was then obliged to shoot at him first, which I did
and killed him.

The poor savage who fled was so frightened with the noise of my piece
that he seemed inclined still to fly. I gave him all the signs of
encouragement I could think of, and he came nearer, kneeling down every
ten or twelve steps. I took him up and made much of him, and comforted
him. Then, beckoning him to follow me, I took him to my cave on the
farther part of the island. Here, having refreshed him, I made signs for
him to lie down to sleep, which the poor creature did. After he had
slumbered about half an hour, he came out of the cave, running to me,
laying himself down and sett