off inland, leaving me to my work. The plate was soon finished,
when I fastened it to a rock out of reach of the waves.

It bore the following inscription:

"1616

"On the 25th of October arrived here the ship 'Endraght,' of
Amsterdam; first supercargo Gilles Miebas Van Luck; Captain Dirk
Hartog, of Amsterdam. She set sail again on the 27th of the same
month. Bantum was second supercargo; Janstins first pilot.

"Peter Ecoores Van Bu, in the year 1616."

I engraved the date upon which the ship was to sail according to
directions given me by the captain, though whether the "Endraght" did
sail at that time I cannot say, by reason of an adventure which befell
me.

When I had finished my work I began to think in what manner I might
employ myself until my companions returned, and, perceiving a grove of
trees not far distant from where I stood, I determined to rest a while
in the shade. As I penetrated these silent forests I beheld sights
wholly novel. Parrots and paroquets flew among the trees, as also large
white birds with sulphur crests, the like of which I had never seen
before. Presently I came to a stream which took its course through a
valley, and, kneeling, I was about to quench my thirst when I felt a
hand upon my shoulder. Springing to my feet, I was confronted by a band
of savages, many of whom held their spears its though about to strike.
They were all quite naked, their bodies marked with white streaks. I
tried to make them understand I came as a friend, and endeavoured to
retrace my steps to the open, where I hoped my shipmates might see me
and effect a rescue, but I now perceived that whichever way I turned my
path was barred by these wild men. The savages now began to jabber to
each other in a jargon which I could not comprehend, and presently two
of them laid hold of me, one by each arm, and in spite of my protests
and such resistance as I made, forced me through the scrub inland. Some
of the tribe followed, others went on ahead, flitting like shadows
among the trees, the journey being performed at a rate which made it
hard for me to keep pace with them.

All day we continued to penetrate the bush toward the interior of the
country, and just before dark we came to a native village, where we
found the tribe assembled at their camp fires. There must have been
several hundred blacks in this camp, and many gathered round to look at
me, although they did not appear to regard