dread it so much, but Handspike and Timbo fully agreed with me that we should be prepared for the worst. Deserted by the crew, even should the wind come off the shore, we could with difficulty make sail, and then it would be a hard matter to navigate the vessel. We only, hoped, however, that they would return on finding the unattractive appearance of the coast. The mist clearing away to the west, the rays of the sun glanced almost horizontally across the waters, over which they cast a ruddy glow, showing us the boat just as she reached the shore, I went aloft with a spy-glass to watch her, and could make out a number of dark figures hurrying down to the beach. She stopped for some time when at no great distance, and the people in her seemed to be holding a conversation with those on shore. She then pulled on, and directly afterwards I saw her surrounded by the dark figures, who seemed to be running her up the beach. Presently, to my horror, I perceived some of the crew running, and the blacks apparently pursuing them. Now one was struck down, now another. It was too evident that the infatuated men were being murdered by the savages. Soon all pursuit ceased; and here and there I could see figures stretched their length and motionless on the sand. Then I made out a crowd of blacks dancing and leaping, so it seemed to me, round the boat. A new alarm seized me. I was afraid that they might attempt to come off, and treat us as they had done the crew. Anxious to watch them, I did not descend till the shades of night, which rapidly came on, hid them from my sight. I then returned on deck, and taking Stanley and David aside, told them what had occurred. "We must defend ourselves to the last," he answered, "if they do come. It will be better to die fighting than let them get on board. What do you advise?" "We have nearly a dozen muskets," I said, "and with our two guns we may make a stout defence. I do not think they would wish to encounter our firearms, even though they possibly have some themselves." "I am afraid that fellow Kydd will be of no use to us," observed Stanley. "He seems beside himself. We will hear what Timbo says, however. He knows more of these people than any of us." Timbo was standing at no great distance, and Stanley called him up. I told him what I had seen. "Not surprised," he observed. "De white men make dem slave, and so when dey catch de white men dey kill dem. Dat's it; but dey no come off at night. No fear of dat. Dey t'ink we one slaver; and if we fired a gun, dey no come off at all." This information was cheering, as we thought we could rely on Timbo's knowledge. "Would you consent to go on shore and gain their friendship?" I asked. "If they know that we are not their enemies, they may possibly be disposed to help us; for as to getting off the brig, I fear greatly it is not to be done."