as still too rough for us
to launch the canoe; so we decided upon remaining one day more, although
our provisions were all gone and our calabashes quite empty. On the
third day, to our great surprise and alarm, we heard the report of a
musket not far from us. From this we knew that we could not be very far
from the English settlements, for it was only the Indians near to the
settlements who had obtained muskets. But whether it was an Indian or a
white man who fired we could not, of course, tell. I recollected that,
in the last advices we had had from James Town, our factors had stated
that there was a cruel war carried on between the Indians and the
settlers, and that the Indians had ravaged the plantations; but that was
two years ago, and how it might be now it was impossible to tell. A
second report of a musket still nearer induced me to creep along by the
side of the rock, and look out to see if any one was near. To my great
alarm, I perceived five Indians with muskets not a hundred yards off. I
drew back, as I hoped, unperceived, but the eye of an Indian was too
keen. They had discovered me; and whilst I was relating to the
Portuguese captain what I had seen, they were suddenly upon us. We had
no time to make resistance, even if we were inclined so to do; we
therefore sat still. They came up and looked at us. The wet had washed
off a great portion of the paint upon my back and shoulders. One of the
Indians touched me on the shoulder, and said, "Ugh!--white man paint
like Indian." They then examined the canoe and its contents, and,
having spoken a few words to each other, apparently relating to the
canoe, they put a thong of leather round each of our arms, and, making a
motion for us to follow them, they led us away.

"We've done our best, and could do no more," said the Portuguese; "I
feel that it's all over with me now, and I shall soon sleep in the bosom
of Jesus."

My heart was too full to make any reply. The Indians led on, and I
followed in silence.

We passed through the woods, which appeared to be interminable, till the
night closed in, and then the Indians halted, and while one remained as
guard over us the others collected wood for a fire. They had some
provisions, but offered none to us. After an hour they lay down to
sleep round the fire, placing me and the Portuguese captain next to the
fire, and lying outside of us. They were soon fast asleep, or appeared
to be, when I said to the ca