We came to a reef, upon which we stayed all night; the next morning we again set sail on our perilous voyage before the wind, but saw no more reefs. We were two more days and nights upon the raft, up to our waists in water, and with a very small allowance of food. This was soon all eaten. We then passed an island, and saw several more ahead.
Soon after we had passed the first island, we saw a canoe paddling towards us, containing ten or twelve native Indians. A canoe is a rude kind of Indian boat. As they came towards us, they extended their arms, which we supposed meant that they were unarmed, and wished to be friendly.
On their reaching the raft, several of them got upon it, and were gently put back by Mr. Clare; he at the same time saying that he thought from their manners that they were not to be trusted. They were very stout men, and quite naked.
An event happened, which, at another time, would have afforded much amusement, but now, was a serious loss. One of the Indians, attracted no doubt by a piece of white cloth that was hanging to the top of our mast, climbed up it; when the desired cloth was within his reach, the mast broke, and he was thrown into the sea, without receiving any injury.
We gave the natives a looking glass and a piece of red cloth, with which they appeared very much pleased, and began to make signs to us to get into their canoe. We at first hesitated to do so, until Mr. Ching, the midshipman, said he would go; as he thought by that means to get sooner to England; at any rate, he said, he could not be worse off.
Upon his going into the canoe, we all agreed to go too, and left the raft; on which the Indians commenced a strict search for iron and tools; but could find nothing but a few old hoops. These they collected and put into the canoe.
It was about four in the afternoon when we left the raft; and after passing three islands on our right, and one on our left, we landed on an island which I afterwards found the natives called Boydan. We could plainly see the main land, about fourteen or fifteen miles distant. The island was very small.
As soon as we landed, we made signs that we were hungry. The natives went with us round the island in search of food and water. We were unsuccessful; not having found so much as a drop of water. When we returned to the place where we landed, hunger and fatigue had so completely exhausted us that we could scarcely walk.
The Indians now began to show signs of their ferocious disposition. They stood around us, grinning and yelling in a most hideous manner, as though delighting in the success of their schemes, and feeling fresh delight at our showing how great was our increasing pain.
Mr. Clare now said we had better prepare for the worst; indeed it was very plain that the Indians were only watching an opportunity to kill us. He read some prayers from a book which he had brought from the wreck; and we all most heartily joined with him in supplication. We felt that probably it would be our last and only opportunity while here on earth.