And where was I to run to through this huge swamp, in which I
could see no shelter or sign of man? I could not guess, so since I must
keep moving I followed the bank of the river, as I walked disturbing
many crocodiles and loathsome snakes. Now I knew that I could not live
long in such suffering, and determined to struggle forward till I fell
down insensible and death put an end to my torments.
For an hour or more I went on thus till I came to a place that was clear
of bush and reeds. Across this I skipped and danced, striking with my
swollen hands at the gnats which buzzed about my head. Now the end was
not far off, for I was exhausted and near to falling, when suddenly
I came upon a party of men, brown in colour and clothed with white
garments, who had been fishing in the river. By them on the water were
several canoes in which were loads of merchandise, and they were now
engaged in eating. So soon as these men caught sight of me they uttered
exclamations in an unknown tongue and seizing weapons that lay by them,
bows and arrows and wooden clubs set on either side with spikes of
flinty glass, they made towards me as though to kill me. Now I lifted up
my hands praying for mercy, and seeing that I was unarmed and helpless
the men laid down their arms and addressed me. I shook my head to show
that I could not understand, and pointed first to the sea and then to
my swollen features.
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