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Rh Having transferred her to the care of these people, I set off alone, determined to live by myself, in order to avoid a repetition of the scenes I had witnessed, and all farther intercourse with the natives. The direction I took was along the sea coast, but although subsisting upon shell fish principally, I now knew perfectly well how to provide myself with a change of food, and with fire to cook it, so as to make whatever it was more palatable. Although I had parted with the girl from prudential motives, I lamented very bitterly the savage death of her brother, my poor blind boy, for whom I had acquired a great affection; and who, on his part, had so many hundred times clung to me for shelter and protection.

I was now again very lonely and miserable, and whilst indulging in melancholy thoughts one day—such as cannot be described—I was most unexpectedly joined by a young native woman, who had ran away from her tribe at some distance, where it was fighting with another. She remained with me for a long time, during which I was successful in procuring abundance of food; amongst other kinds was a large sea animal, one of that sort which the natives call the Koorman, mentioned before as having visited my retreat near where I first met the natives. We found the flesh very good eating, and my female friend enjoyed the repast with great gusto: greasing herself all over with the fat, after we had made the most of the carcass, which might well be compared to bacon.

My amiable young lady friend continued with me