The savages of Boydan treacherously murdering the crew of the Charles Eaton while they are sleeping.
See page [24].
How true is the admonition which warns us that “in the midst of life we are in death.” But little did the wanderers who set out in the frail vessel, in all the gaiety of health and strength, imagine what was to be their melancholy fate, what would be their sufferings, or what the horrible termination of their existence.
After having spent some time in prayer, we threw ourselves on the ground, in expectation of being killed. Although it will readily be imagined we were little in heart disposed to slumber, yet such was the state to which we were reduced, that most of us fell almost immediately into a sound sleep. The natives, seeing us lying down, appeared anxious that we should go to sleep; which they signified to us by putting their head on one shoulder, and closing their eyes.
I felt quite sure, from one thing, that mischief was intended. I saw one of the natives advance from a canoe in a strange manner; stealing cautiously along with a club in his hand, hid as he thought from our sight, behind his back, and which he dropped upon the beach. I told this to the seaman, Carr, who was lying next to me; but he, being very sleepy, seem to take no notice of it, and soon after was in a deep sleep. Not long after this, I observed with dread, that as the people fell asleep, a native placed himself between every two of us; yet I was so overcome with weariness and weakness, I fell asleep too. This I have no doubt, was for the more easy execution of the horrid purpose they intended, that of murdering us, without giving us a chance for escape or defence. It was utterly out of our power to resist; as we had not so much as a staff or stick to defend ourselves with; and our exhaustion was too great to allow us to quit the place where we then were.
About as near as I can guess, an hour after I had been asleep, I was awoke by a terrible shouting and noise. I instantly arose, and on looking round, I saw the natives killing my companions by dashing out their brains with clubs. The first that was killed was Mr. Ching, and after him his companion, Mr. Perry; the next victim was Mr. Major, the second officer.
The confusion now became terrible, and my agitation at beholding the horrid scene was so great that do I not distinctly remember what passed after this. The last person that I recollect seeing alive was Mr. Clare; who in an attempt to escape, was overtaken and immediately murdered by a blow on the head.
Myself and John Sexton were now the only two remaining alive. An Indian came to me with a carving knife in his hand, which I could see belonged to the cabin, and recollected its being put on the first raft. He seized me, and tried to cut my throat; but I grasped the blade of the knife in my right hand, and held it fast. I struggled hard for my life. He at last threw me down, and placing his knee upon my breast, tried to wrench the knife out of my hand; but I still kept it, though one of my fingers was cut to the bone. I at last succeeded in getting upon him, and then I let go my hold, and ran into the sea.
I swam out a little way; but the only chance for my life being to return to shore, I landed again, expecting to be killed on the spot. The same Indian then came towards me in a furious manner, and shot an arrow at me, which struck me in my right breast. On a sudden, however, he, very much to my surprise, became quite calm, and led, or rather dragged me to a little distance, and offered me some fish. This, hungry as I was, I was afraid to eat lest it should be poisoned.
During my stay with these people, I have frequently seen them fly into a violent rage, and recover themselves in a moment, becoming quite calm, as was the case with the man who had tried to take my life.