"The respected American missionary at Canton, Mr. Edwin Stevens, rendered us many friendly services; and from the English physician, who was formerly in the East India Company's service there, but whose name I do not recollect, we received every attention and medical aid that could have been bestowed on his nearest friends. "We are also much indebted to Mr. Bradford and Mr. Robert E. Apthorp, both of Boston, for their many acts of kindness. To the latter gentleman, then a resident at Canton, I cannot sufficiently express my obligations; he interested himself much in obtaining money, clothing, and other necessaries for us, to make our situation comfortable during our stay in Canton and on our passage home. "To the many friends whom we have found since our return to our own country we can never be sufficiently grateful. Among these I cannot omit to mention Mr. J. N. Reynolds, author of the interesting Account of the Voyage of the Potomac, who has taken the most lively interest in our case, and Mr. Joseph P. Bradley, of Boston, to whose untiring zeal and benevolence I feel myself to be indebted more than I am able to express. HORACE HOLDEN" CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Equipment and departure of the ship Mentor from the port of New Bedford, Massachusetts.--The ship's company.--Arrival at Fayal.--Passage down the Cape de Verd islands, and round the cape of Good Hope, to the Indian ocean.--Cruising among the islands, and arrival at the port of Coupang, in Timor.--A violent storm.--The ship strikes on a coral reef off the Pelew islands.--Alarm and distressing situation of the ship's company, and sudden loss of eleven of their number.--The survivors preserved upon a dry part of the reef 13 CHAPTER II. The situation of the survivors of the ship's company upon the reef during the night.--A canoe filled with savage natives approaches the reef; intercourse with them; and description of their persons and terrific appearance.--Their pilfering of the articles saved, and plundering of the ship.--Several canoes arrive.--Mr. Nute's resolute conduct towards the natives.--The ship's company pursue their course, in their boat, towards an island, on which they land after severe suffering 29 CHAPTER III.