of native vessels
approaching the island. I examined them anxiously, and was soon
convinced that they were either the same pirates who had paid us a visit
at my uncle's island, or gentry of a similar character. I could not
help feeling considerable alarm for my own safety. What was I to do?
If they touched on the island, should I be able to conceal myself from
them? As I had walked about the woods the possibility of such a
contingency had occurred to me. At first I thought of hiding away in my
cave; but the marks of the fire outside, and the trees I had cut down,
should they find their way to it, might betray me. Still I knew that,
even should they land, they were not likely to go far into the interior.
Near the top of the rock was a hollow in which I might lie completely
concealed, with the assistance of a few boughs, which I might place
across it. Here, therefore, I determined to take up my post, should I
see that they intended landing. As they came nearer I left the beach
and watched them from the underwood. I was soon convinced that they
were pirates, probably on some marauding expedition, and that they were
about to land. I hoped that they would not remain long, as probably
they were coming ashore to repair some of their vessels, or to obtain
cocoa-nuts or water. At length I saw the vessels entering the bay.
Some anchored, while others ran on to the beach, when their crews,
leaping out, carried tackles and ropes to the nearest trees, and began
to haul them up. My idea as to their object, therefore, was correct. I
retired as soon as they had done this, making my way as silently as
possible towards the spot I had fixed on. I had, as far as I was able,
obliterated the marks of my fire by covering them with leaves and broken
branches. I had also concealed the mouth of my cave with branches, in a
way which I thought looked so natural, that no one would attempt to
enter. I then climbed up to my proposed hiding-place, carrying some
other branches which I had cut down for the purpose I contemplated. I
felt somewhat like a bird in a nest, for I was completely concealed from
the view of those below; at the same time I could look out between the
branches and see what was going forward. I had taken the precaution of
carrying up some provisions with me, so that I might not suffer from
hunger.

I had remained here for some time, when I heard the Malays shouting to
each other in the distance. What the cause of