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Rh habits, that nothing but the hope of a ransom had prevented their murdering him. But it soon appeared that they hoped to use him as a decoy for other sailors who might approach the coast. One morning a man of the tribe who had been brought down to the shore reported that his vessel had returned. This welcome information started the Indians on his track, but upon gaining a view of the straits, Bourne perceived that the vessel was a strange sail. Yet he knew that if he could succeed in boarding her, his escape would be certain. Night coming on, the Indian chief lay down under a clump of bushes, while his prisoner was ordered to replenish the fire with dry bushes.

At dusk, he observed the vessel hoisting sail, and beating up the bay. On this he began brandishing firebrands to attract notice, and walked to and fro on the beach for hours. The craft gradually approached, till her white canvas became distinguishable through the surrounding gloom. Fresh fuel was heaped on the fire, a bright blaze ascended, and the American took his station in front of it, holding out his coat, and frequently turning round, that his form might be more distinctly revealed. And now a shrill of joy electrified him, as he saw a light set on deck, which appeared to be stationary. There could be no doubt that the vessel had come to anchor directly opposite to them. Though hungry and weary with long watching, he hurried about, and gathered sticks and leaves in abundance to kindle a still brighter beacon-fire, in whose light and warmth anxiety began to expand to hope. At dawn of day, as the horizon lighted up, he could distinguish the vessel lying about a mile off, quiet as a sea-fowl on the calm surface.