Page:Surprising adventures of John Roach.pdf/8

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

8

They did not shew the least desire of preserving my clothes, but furiously tore them in pieces and threw them away in great contempt and decision without examining them in the least, or discovering any signs of curiosity. But as soon as I was completely unrigged, they formed a circle, and placing me in the midst of them examined my skin, one by one, and seemed greatly surprised at its colour.  After this they compared the different parts of my body with their own, till they had fully satisfied their curiosity. They then hurried me along with them into the adjacent forest, and there loaded me with game of several kinds; with which I was obliged to travel until evening, though almost ready to faint with hunger, thirst and fatigue.

When evening approached the commander, or chief of this savage tribe, gave orders to halt under the shade of some large trees. They then made me gather fuel to make a fire, clean the game and prepare it for barbicuing; after which they struck a light made a large fire, constructed a barbicue above it and laid thereon the animals they had taken. The surrounding crew now seemed anxiously impatient for the enjoyment of what was preparing for them; nay, so keen were their appetites, that they ravenously tore the meat from the fire before it was well warmed and fell to with most veracious stomachs devouring an amazing quantity: but they would not allow me to taste till they had fully satisfied their craving appetites.