east; and, surrounded by
about three hundred of them, went round a point of land, when I
distinctly saw a ship standing for the land. The displeasure of the
natives increased, they demanded to know where she came from, how many
men she had in her, &c. I was compelled to tell them that she was not
coming to get me, and even pretended to be afraid of her approach,
which pleased them much, as they appeared determined I should never
leave them. At dusk she was so near the land, that I saw them shorten
sail, and fondly anticipated the hour of my deliverance as not far
distant.

During the night, sleep was a stranger to me, and with the most
anxious emotions did I anticipate a welcome reception on board, and
above all, a happy and joyful landing on my native shore. In the
morning, Ludjuan went with me to the beach, but alas! no ship was in
sight. She had vanished, and with her had fled all my hopes of a
speedy deliverance. The kind reader can perhaps form some idea of my
disappointment.

The natives continued to be kind to me, and I was often complimented
by them for my knowledge of their language; and the appearance of my
person had very much improved, my hair and beard being long, and my
skin turned nearly as black as their own! I was often importuned to
have my ears bored and stretched, but never gave my consent, which
much surprised them, it being a great mark of beauty. They begin at
the age of four years, and perforate the lower part of the ear, with a
sharp pointed stick; and as the ear stretches, larger ones are
inserted, until it will hang nearly to their shoulders! The larger the
ear, the more beauty the person possesses!

About a fortnight after I saw the ship pass, Hussey came with his
master, on a visit. His disappointment was great, and we could only
cheer each other, by hoping for the best, and wait patiently the
pleasure of Heaven.

Hussey again left me, but we parted under less bodings of evil than
before, for the kindness of the natives began to increase, and their
suspicions to be allayed.

I will here acquaint the reader with some of the means that I was
induced to make use of, to satisfy the cravings of appetite. As the
Island now was in a state of almost entire famine, my daily
subsistence not amounting to more (upon an average) than the substance
of one half a cocoanut each day. The chief I lived with, having
several cocoanut trees that he was very choice of, and which bore
plentifully; I would