Page 486
An. 1688
The Ship departs, and leaves them.
endeavouring to keep out any that would fettle themselves on those Islands, where they had plant- ed themselves; yet, even these people would not hurt a single person, as I have been told by some that have been Prisoners among them. I could instance also in the Indians of Bocca Toro, and Bocca Drago, and many other places where they do live, as the Spaniards call it, wild and salvage; yet there they have been familiar with Privateers, but by a- bufes have withdrawn their friendship again. As for these Nicobar people, I found them affable e- nough, and therefore I did not fear them; but I did not much care whether I had gotten any more Company or no.
But however, I was very well satisfied, and the rather because we were now men enough to row our selves over to the Island Sumatra; and ac- cordingly we presently consulted how to purchase a Canoa of the Natives.
It was a fine clear Moon-light Night, in which we were left ashore. Therefore we walked on the sandy Bay, to watch when the Ship would weigh and be gone, not thinking our selves secure in our new gotten liberty till then. About 11 or 12 a clock we saw her under sail, and then we returned to our Chamber, and so to sleep. This was the 6th of May.
The next morning betimes, our Landlord, with 4 or 5 of his friends, came to see his new guests, and was somewhat surprised to see so many of us, for he knew of no more but my self. Yet he seemed to be very well pleased, and entertained us with a large Calabash of Toddy, which he brought with him. Before he went away again, (for wheresoever we came they left their Houses to us, but whether out of fear or superstition I know not,) we bought a Canoa of him for an Ax, and we did presently put our Chests and Cloaths in