settlers, and that the Indians had ravaged the plantations; but that was
two years ago, and how it might be now it was impossible to tell. A
second report of a musket still nearer induced me to creep along by the
side of the rock, and look out to see if any one was near. To my great
alarm, I perceived five Indians with muskets not a hundred yards off. I
drew back, as I hoped, unperceived, but the eye of an Indian was too
keen. They had discovered me; and whilst I was relating to the
Portuguese captain what I had seen, they were suddenly upon us. We had
no time to make resistance, even if we were inclined so to do; we
therefore sat still. They came up and looked at us. The wet had washed
off a great portion of the paint upon my back and shoulders. One of the
Indians touched me on the shoulder, and said, "Ugh!--white man paint
like Indian." They then examined the canoe and its contents, and,
having spoken a few words to each other, apparently relating to the
canoe, they put a thong of leather round each of our arms, and, making a
motion for us to follow them, they led us away.
"We've done our best, and could do no more," said the Portuguese; "I
feel that it's all over with me now, and I shall soon sleep in the bosom
of Jesus."
My heart was too full to make any reply. The Indians led on, and I
followed in silence.
We passed through the woods, which appeared to be interminable, till the
night closed in, and then the Indians halted, and while one remained as
guard over us the others collected wood for a fire. They had some
provisions, but offered none to us. After an hour they lay down to
sleep round the fire, placing me and the Portuguese captain next to the
fire, and lying outside of us. They were soon fast asleep, or appeared
to be, when I said to the captain, "Have you your knife? For if they
remain asleep, let us wait an hour or so, and if you can cut the leather
thong which the Indian holds in his hand, and then watch your
opportunity, I will do the same, and we may escape."
"I have my knife, but my Indian is not asleep," replied he; "I will wait
till he is."
"What signal shall we make if we succeed?" said I.
"When you are ready, lift your arm up,--I shall understand,--and if I am
ready I will do the same. Agreed; and now let us be quiet, for depend
upon it our conversation has roused them all."
We then composed ourselves, as if to sleep, and remained in that way for
more than an hour, by which time we were convinced that our captors were
slumbering. I then drew out my knife, for the Indians had not attempted
to rifle us, and cut the thong which was round my arm, without awaking
the Indian who had the other end in his hand. I remained quiet for a
quarter of an hour, when the Portuguese lifted up his arm as a signal
that he was free. I listened attentively, and, being certain that the
Indians were asleep, I lifted up my arm also.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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