Amongst the heaps of dead that lay on the sand
just where they had fallen, I could distinguish mutilated forms
writhing in agony, while ever and anon one and another rose
convulsively from out the mass, endeavoured to stagger towards the
wood, and ere they had taken a few steps, fell and wallowed on the
bloody sand. My blood curdled within me as I witnessed this frightful
and wanton slaughter; but I had little time to think, for the captain's
deep voice came again over the water towards us: "Pull ashore, lads,
and fill your water-casks." The men obeyed in silence, and it seemed to
me as if even their hard hearts were shocked by the ruthless deed. On
gaining the mouth of the rivulet at which we intended to take in water,
we found it flowing with blood, for the greater part of those who were
slain had been standing on the banks of the stream, a short way above
its mouth. Many of the wretched creatures had fallen into it, and we
found one body, which had been carried down, jammed between two rocks,
with the staring eyeballs turned towards us, and his black hair waving
in the ripples of the blood-red stream. No one dared to oppose our
landing now, so we carried our casks to a pool above the murdered
group, and having filled them, returned on board. Fortunately, a breeze
sprang up soon afterwards, and carried us away from the dreadful spot;
but it could not waft me away from the memory of what I had seen.
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