Next morning I awoke with a feverish brow and a feeling of deep
depression at my heart, and the more I thought on my unhappy fate, the
more wretched and miserable did I feel.
I was surrounded on all sides by human beings of the most dreadful
character, to whom the shedding of blood was mere pastime. On shore
were the natives, whose practices were so horrible that I could not
think of them without shuddering. On board were none but pirates of the
blackest dye, who, although not cannibals, were foul murderers, and
more blameworthy even than the savages, inasmuch as they knew better.
Even Bill, with whom I had, under the strange circumstances of my lot,
formed a kind of intimacy, was so fierce in his nature as to have
acquired the title of "Bloody" from his vile companions. I felt very
much cast down the more I considered the subject and the impossibility
of delivery, as it seemed to me--at least, for a long time to come. At
last, in my feeling of utter helplessness, I prayed fervently to the
Almighty that He would deliver me out of my miserable condition; and
when I had done so I felt some degree of comfort.
When the captain came on deck, before the hour at which the men usually
started for the woods, I begged of him to permit me to remain aboard
that day, as I did not feel well; but he looked at me angrily, and
ordered me, in a surly tone, to get ready to go on shore as usual. The
fact was that the captain had been out of humour for some time past.
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