Page:Life and adventures of Robinson Crusoe (4).pdf/22

 landed, three of them unarmed; who by their gestures, seemed be prisoners: and one of them I could perceive using the most passionate gestures of entreaty, affliction, and despair while the two others, though their grief seemed less extravagant appeared pleading for mercy. At this instant I saw a villain lift up his arm to kill one of the prisoners, but he did not strike him. The men having left the prisoners, and gone up into the woods, I went up to them with my man Friday, and said to them, “What are you gentlemen?” they startled at the noise; but prepared to fly I then said in English, “Gentleman, perhaps you may have a friend near you, whom you little expect. Tell me your case.”

“I was commander of that ship, (replied one of the prisoners) my men havo mutinied against me ; and if they do not murder me, they intend to leave me and these two gentlemen ashore in this desolate place; thoy are hut in that thicket, and I tremble