Several days passed quietly away, most of the party going out for a few
hours at a time to endeavour to shoot any animals or birds which might
serve to vary their diet. At length, however, they fancied themselves
strong enough to prosecute their journey, and a day was fixed on which
to commence it. One morning the party, as was their custom, went out in
pairs to hunt. Jack accompanied Sambo. They were later than usual, but
on their return they saw no signs of a fire at their hut, nor any sounds
from their companions. Jack's heart sunk within him. On reaching the
hut his apprehensions were verified. It was stripped almost of
everything. The articles too bulky to be carried off were broken in
pieces. What had become of their companions? "Me fear killed," said
Sambo, who had been looking anxiously about. He beckoned to Jack, and
penetrating through the wood to a short distance they found the dead
bodies of two of their late companions. Sambo, after examining the
marks on the ground, declared it his belief that their other two
companions had been carried off by the Indians, Jack's first impulse was
to run away from the fatal spot, but on consulting with Sambo they
agreed that the Indians, having carried off every thing, were not likely
to return: besides, without the mate to guide them, they were unable to
find their way to the European settlements. He, with the other man, had
probably been carried away by the Indians. All they could hope for was
that some vessel might visit that part of the coast and take them off.
They had guns, but a very small supply of powder, and this they
determined to keep to make a signal should it be necessary. As,
however, Sambo knew a variety of methods of trapping both birds and
beasts and of catching fish, and also what roots and fruits were
wholesome and unwholesome, they were not likely to want food. Day after
day, and week after week, and month after month passed away, till Jack
lost all count of time and began to fear that no vessel would ever come
to take them off. Several times in the summer they met with traces of
Indians, but Sambo was always able to avoid them. Numberless were the
adventures they met with and the risks they ran. Jack had reason to be
thankful that he had so intelligent a companion and faithful a friend as
Sambo, though they had not much power of interchanging ideas. "What
matters the colour of our skin?" thought Jack. "The same God made us
both, and I love him as a brother." At length Jack began to be very
anxious to get away. He thought that he might have to live there for
ever. Sambo was much more contented with his lot.
Some twenty months or so had passed away since the shipwreck, when one
morning, as Jack went to the top of a cliff to take his usual look for a
vessel, he saw a large brig standing along the shore about a mile to the
northward. He hurried back to the cave to call Sambo, and to get their
musket with the few rounds of ammunition they had left. The two
returned to the shore. Jack's heart beat quicker than it had ever
before done. Off he set, followed by Sambo along the beach in the
direction of the brig. He was afraid she might stand off shore again
without any on board observing them. At length they came abreast of the
brig. They shouted and waved their handkerchiefs; still no notice was
taken of them. "We must fire," said Jack. But the powder flashed in
the pan. He tried again. "Make haste! make haste!" shouted Sambo.
They were standing on the summit of a rock which lay on the beach, with
a wide extent of open country which sloped up from the shore behind
them. There, galloping towards them at full speed, were a band of
mounted Indians. Jack again primed the musket. It went off. He loaded
and fired again. The signal was observed on board the brig, and a gun
was fired in return. The reports of the firearms had the effect of
making the Indians rein in their steeds and look about them. At the
same time a boat put off from the brig. She was immediately perceived
by the Indians, and again they advanced, but more cautiously than
before. Jack and Sambo looked anxiously at the boat. It was doubtful
whether she or the Indians would reach them first. They rushed down to
the beach and waded into the water. The crew of the boat saw their
danger. On came the Indians with terrific yells, flourishing their
lassoes high above their heads. Jack and Sambo saw that narrow indeed
was their chance of escape. The brig had been standing in shore. Just
then she brought her broadside to bear, and opening her ports sent a
shower of round shot among the Indians. Two or three of their saddles
were emptied and they again halted. The delay enabled Jack and Sambo to
spring into the boat. Scarcely had her head been pulled round, when the
Indians, again galloping on, dashed into the water and endeavoured to
throw their lassoes over their heads. One man was very nearly caught,
but he had a sharp knife ready to cut the rope as it reached his neck.
Others among the Indians shot arrows at them, but the boat's crew having
no arms could not retaliate, and Jack's musket had got wet. By smart
pulling they were soon safe on board the brig.