part of the island where my dwelling stood. I was terribly frightened at this, but observing that he outstripped his pursuers I regained my courage, and felt that I was called upon by Providence to save the poor creature's life. I immediately ran down the ladder for my guns, and, taking a short route, I placed myself between the pursuers and their victim, crying aloud to the latter to come towards me, but he looked back as much frightened at me as he was of his enemies; however, I continued beckoning him with my hand to approach, and then, slowly advancing upon the two who followed, I knocked the foremost down with the butt end of my musket. I was unwilling to fire at the other, fearing lest the report should be heard; but upon seeing him aim an arrow at me, I presented my musket, and killed him at the first shot. The poor savage who fled was so frightened at the fire and the noise of my gun, that he stood as if transfixed with terror. I made signs to him to come forward, which he easily understood, for he advanced a little way, then stopped again, and I could then perceive that he was trembling with fright. At length, after I had made every sign of encouragement, he came gradually nearer, kneeling down at every twelve steps, in token of acknowledgment for saving his life. I smiled kindly on him, and looked pleasantly, when at last he came close to me, and, laying his head on the ground, he placed my foot upon it, to show that he was my slave for ever. I raised him up in a soothing and encouraging manner, and gave him to understand I would protect him. there was more work to accomplish, for the savage whom I had knocked down was beginning to revive from the blow. Upon this I pointed to him, and presented my gun as if I would shoot him, but my savage (for so I call him now), made a sign to me to lend him my sword, which he had no sooner obtained than he ran to his enemy, and at one blow cut off his head, returning to me afterwards in a laughing manner, and with abundance of gesture, and laying before me my sword and the head of the savage whom he had just killed. But what astonished him greatly, was to know how I killed the other Indian, whose body he turned over like one bewildered. I beckoned him to follow me, when he made signs that he would bury the bodies in the sand, and scraped a hole with his hands for that purpose. I then led him to my cave, and gave him bread and raisins to eat, and water to drink, and being thus refreshed, I pointed to some rice straw, with a blanket over it, when the poor creature lay down and went to sleep. He was apparently about twenty-six years of age, tall and well made, with a good manly countenance. His skin was tawny, and his features were very agreeable. After he had slept about half an hour he awoke, and came out of the cave to me, laying his head upon the ground, and making every sign of submission." In a short time I began to speak to him, until we could converse a little. I called him Friday, that being the

But

day on which I saved his life. The next day, as we were passing the place where he had buried the two men, he made signs to me that we should dig them up again and eat them; but on my appearing very angry he quitted the spot with great submission. I then went with him to the top of the hill, and pulling out my glass, I could not observe any trace of his enemies, so it was clear they had left without trying to find their two companions. But I was not content with this discovery, and I accordingly went with Friday to the place where these creatures had been. My blood ran chill at the sight which presented itself, for the place was covered with human bones, and Friday, by his signs, made me understand that they had brought over four prisoners to feast upon, three of whom had been sacrificed, and he had been intended for the fourth. I caused Friday to gather all these remains in a heap and to burn them. When we had returned to my castle, I set to work for my man Friday, and dressed him in the best manner I was able, so that he was greatly pleased to see himself as well clothed as his master, and after a little awkward manner at first, he soon became used to them. I next began to consider where I should lodge him, and this I managed while taking precautions to guard myself from any surprise from him; but these were needless, for never man had a more faithful, loving, sincere servant, than Friday was to me; without angry passions or sullen temper, but perfectly obliging, and as affectionate to me as a child to his father. I was greatly delighted with him, and I took a pleasure in teaching him everything useful and helpful, but especially to converse with me, and he proved an excellent scholar. My life became so pleasant in consequence of this companionship, that if it had not been for a dread of the savages, I could have passed all my life on the island.

To cure Friday from all remains of cannabalism, I thought I would let him taste other flesh; and seeing a she-goat lying down in the shade, and two young kids sitting by her, I caught hold of Friday, and crying "hold," made signs to him not to stir. I then presented my musket, and killed one of the kids at the first shot. My poor servant, who could not conceive how this was done, looked so amazed that I thought he would have sunk down. He ripped up his waistcoat to feel whether he was not himself wounded, and, as I found out afterwards, thought I was resolved to kill him, for he came and knelt down, saying a great many things, the meaning of which was, to pray me not to hurt him. I soon convinced Friday that I had no such intentions, and taking him by the hand, laughed at his fears. I then pointed to the kid, and beckoned to him to carry it, which he did, and whilst he was wondering how the animal had been killed, I loaded my gun again. I then aimed at a parrot sitting on a tree, and made signs to Friday that I would shoot the bird. Accordingly, I fired, and bade

him look, and instantly he saw the parrot fall. The poor fellow stood thunderstruck, and I believe would have worshipped me and my gun. He would not touch the latter for several days afterwards, but would talk to it when he was by himself, and this, as I afterwards learned from him, was to desire it not to kill him. I carried home the kid, and made a stew of the flesh, which Friday liked exceedingly; but that which appeared strange to him was to see me eat salt, which he could not touch, with the food. After this regale of boiled meat, I roasted part of the kid on the following day, greatly to the satisfaction of my savage attendant, who declared he would never eat man's flesh any more, which I was very glad to hear. I then occupied him in beating corn, and he watched me making bread and baking it, until in a short time he was able to do all the work for me. Having now two mouths to feed, I found it would be necessary to provide more ground for my harvest, in which Friday assisted me very cheerfully. This

of speaking myself and hearing him talk, his honesty and good nature were such that I really began to love him, and I believe, on his side, he also had the greatest affection for me. I did not forget his religious education, but explained to him often the truths of the Bible, which he took great pains to understand. I said to him one day, "Friday, do you not wish yourself in your own country?" "Yes," he replied, "I be much O glad to be at my own nation." "What would you do there?" I inquired; "Would you turn wild again, eat man's flesh, and be a savage, as you were before?" He looked full of concern, and shaking his head, said, "No, no; Friday tell them to live good, tell them to pray God, tell them to eat corn bread, cattle, flesh, milk; no eat man again."

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From his conversation I gathered that there were seventeen bearded men, or Christians, in the main-land from whence he had come, and which we could perceive on a clear day. Feeling a great desire to ascertain who these men could be, and what chance there might be of escaping with them from these savage wilds, I resolved, with the help of Friday, to build a canoe, in which a voyage between the two points of land could be undertaken. After constant and hard labour this was accomplished, and we waited for the months of November and December to make the adventure. One day, as I was preparing some provisions, Friday came running to me, and exclaiming, "Oh master! Oh master! Oh sorrow! Oh bad! Yonder one, two, three canoe." Well, Friday," I said, "do not be frightened." So I comforted him as well as I could, but the poor fellow was terribly afraid his countrymen had come to look for him. Taking my arms I went up to the side of the hill, and by the aid of my glass I discovered that there were twenty-one savages, three prisoners, and three canoes; and that the object of the barbarians seemed to be to banqnet on these three men. This sight made me so indignant that I returned to Friday, and told him I was resolved to go down and kill them all. He had now recovered from his fright, and told me "he would die when I bid die." I then divided the arms between us, and proceeded to a wood which stretched towards the point where the savages were grouped. On the way I had some misgivings as to the right I had to kill them, but I resolved to watch their proceedings, and then act as God should direct

me.

Seeing a great tree at the corner of the wood, I told Friday to climb up, and tell me what was going on, He said that the savages were already feasting round their fire, and that a bearded man, or Christian, lay bound upon the sand near them. I was filled with horror at this news, and proceeding cautiously to a little rising ground, I had a full view of them about eighty yards distant. Not a moment was to be lost, for the savages were about to kill the victim on the sand.

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I therefore turned to Friday, and after arranging the guns for our use I told him to fire, taking aim myself at the same moment. At the first shot three of the cannibals were killed and five were wounded. Taking instantly, each of us, another fowling piece, we fired again, and two more fell dead, while many others were wounded, and ran about the shore yelling like madmen. Now, Friday," I exclaimed, taking up the loaded musket that remained, "follow me," which he did with great courage; I then rushed out of the wood, and shewed myself, with Friday close behind. As soon as I perceived we were discovered, I shouted as loud as I could, and bade Friday do the same, proceeding directly towards the poor victim who was lying upon the shore, whom I quickly released from his bandages. Meanwhile, those of the savages who were not killed or wounded made towards a canoe, in the hope of escaping, but I turned to Friday, and bade him fire at them, which he did with great effect.

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Lifting the prisoner to his feet, I found, in answer to my inquiries, that he was a Spaniard, but he was so weak that he could scarcely stand or speak, upon which I handed him a bottle from my pocket, and gave him a piece of bread. Finding him partially recovered after this refreshment, I mustered as much Spanish as I could, and said :— Signor, we will talk afterwards, but we must now fight; if you have any strength left take this pistol and sword, and use them as well as you are able." He did so, and attacked the flying savages with great courage, but was nearly mastered by one of them, a stout fellow, who closed with him and threw him down. The Spaniard, however, drew the pistol from his girdle and shot him on the spot. Friday behaved in the most gallant manner, but we could not prevent the escape of four of the barbarians in their canoe. Fearful lest they should carry the news of their defeat to their countrymen, I endeavoured to pursue them, and jumped into a canoe with Friday for that purpose, but I was surprised to find another poor creature lying in the boat, bound hand and foot, prepared, like the Spaniard had been, for the slaughter, and almost dead with fear. I immediately cut the rushes that tied his limbs, and calling Friday, desired him to speak to the savage, and tell him of his deliverance. But when my servant heard him speak and looked in his face, it would have melted any one to tears to have seen how the affectionate fellow kissed him, and then cried, laughed, jumped about and sung, as if distracted with joy. It was a long time before I could make him speak to me, but when he became more composed, he told me that it was his father. I cannot describe half the extravagances of poor Friday at this interesting discovery. He was so busy about his father, sitting down beside him and chafing his limbs, which had been hurt by the rushes, that I did not like to call him away for some time.