uable production. The shade of these often afforded us an agreeable asylum from the scorching rays or the sun and would have rendered the place exceedingly delightful, had it not been for the great quantity of nnderwood, which in many parts seemed almost impenetrable, and caused us to travel with great difficulty and pain.
Whilst I remained amongst these people, my escape chiefly employed my thoughts day and night; and I determined not to lose any favourable opportunity that might occur for affecting the same. To this end I arose several times, at night, when I judged the surrounding crew were securely asleep but amongst such a numerous company, there was scarcely ever an interval when none were awake; so that when I arose, some or other of them started up and prevented my flight. However, I always took care to proceed very unconcernedly, till I found whether I was perceived or not; and consequently on being descried, I had an opportunity of pleading that it was unavoidable private business which caused me to write. By these means I happily escaped the rigorous punishment which would certainly have been inflicted upon me, had my enemies been really assured that defection was my intent; but yet, after I had been thus detected four or five times, the Savages grew more watchful over me, and used me with still greater barbarity; so that at length even the women
