his son, to prevent their enemies from mangling them; and, that if the women had not left, they would have been taken away by force by the opposite party. They, poor creatures, were dreadfully hungry and fatigued; so I gave them all the food I had and kept them in my hut until the morning, when two of them left, the other three remaining for several days longer, waiting for their friends. Finding they did not come, according to their appointment, they then went away also.
Having reason to think something had occurred to prevent their arrival, I returned to the scene of the brutal massacre; and finding the ashes and bones of my late friends, I scraped them up together, and covered them over with turf, burying them in the best manner I could, that being the only return I could make for their many kindnesses. I did so in great grief at the recollection of what they had done for me through so many years, and in all my dangers and troubles.
My next move was back again to the hut I had left on the plains where the women had found me, and the following day the others came according to their promise. They endeavoured to persuade me to join them permanently, saying they would protect me; that, as I was alone I should certainly be killed; but I refused, having no faith in their professions, and being sick at heart, so shortly after witnessing all these atrocities. After staying a short time at this spot, they left me, crossing over the river, and when they were out of sight, I packed up my traps, and started in an opposite direction, going towards the sea. When at a place called
