y the first shower of missiles.
Seeing that we still persevered in trying to get the boat off, the
savages came rushing down the bank; and though I had cut the painter,
before I could give the boat sufficient impetus to get out of their way,
they had seized the gunwale and hauled her up on the beach.

All hope of escape was now at an end. We were each of us seized by
three or four of the savages, while, by the chief's directions, two
others plunged into the water, and soon returned with the body of the
man who had fallen overboard. To my horror, our poor wounded companions
were instantly stabbed by these wretches, apparently for no other reason
than because they offered some resistance to being dragged roughly
along; and thus Brian and I were the only two who remained alive of
those who had so lately escaped from the stormy ocean. Some of the
savages, I saw, were left to take care of the boat in which the bodies
of those who had been killed were placed.

As we climbed to the top of a hill, and I looked back over the blue
ocean, now shining brightly in the morning sun, I saw that the storm had
ceased; and--I am certain my eyes did not deceive me--I saw in the
offing the white canvas of a ship, which I felt sure must be the
_Drake_, probably searching for those who were never to be found.

From the appearance of the people and their cruel proceedings, I had no
doubt but that we had fallen on one of the Feejee islands; and, from
their well-known character, I knew what our fate would probably be. I
myself had little, it might seem, to live for; but still life is _dear_
to all of us, and I considered what I could do to preserve mine. I knew
that most savages, as well as eastern nations, look upon a person
deprived of his intellect as sacred, so I at once resolved to act the
madman. On this, summoning all my strength, I gave vent to the loudest
roar I could utter, finishing with a burst of laughter; and when my
guards, in their surprise, let me go, I started forward, leaping, and
singing, and dancing, with the greatest extravagance, pointing to the
way I saw the chief was going, and pretending to conduct him with many
bows and flourishes worthy of a French dancing-master. Desperate as the
device was, it appeared to have its effect, for neither the chief nor
any of his companions again attempted to interfere with me, though they
dragged poor Brian on as before. He, of course, could not make out what
had happened to m