They knew, of course, that we were the enemies of
the Spaniards, and had heard of places being sacked and ships taken
by us. But they doubted my story for a long time, till at last
one of them brought a crucifix that had somehow fallen into their
hands, and held it up before me. When I struck it down, as a
good Protestant should do, they saw that I was not of the Spanish
religion, and so loosed my bonds and made much of me.
"They could tell me nothing of the whereabouts of our ships, for
though they had seen vessels at times sail by, the poor creatures
knew nothing of the difference of rig between an English craft
and a Spaniard. I abode with them for two years, and aided them in
their fights whenever the Spaniards sent out parties, which they
did many times, to capture them. They were poor, timorous creatures,
their spirits being altogether broken by the tyranny of the Dons;
but when they saw that I feared them not, and was ready at any time
to match myself against two or, if need be, three of the Spaniards,
they plucked up heart, and in time came to fight so stoutly that the
Spaniards thought it best to leave them alone, seeing that we had
the advantage of knowing every foot of the woods, and were able
to pounce down upon them when they were in straitened places and
forced to fight at great disadvantage.
"I was regarded as a great chief by the natives, and could have
gone on living with them comfortably enough had not my thoughts
been always turning homeward, and a great desire to be among my
own people, from whom I had been so long separated, devoured me.
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