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300 THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON |
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was afraid that, notwithstanding the English flag, the vessel before us might be a pirate, which had assumed false colours in order to deceive us. We remained at a distance, not liking to venture nearer until we were certain what ship it was. We could see all that was going on. Two tents had been raised on the shore, tables were laid for dinner, meat was roasting before blazing fires, men were running to and fro, and the whole scene had the appearance of an organized encampment. Two sentinels were on the deck of the vessel, and when they perceived us they spoke to the officer on duty who stood near, and who turned his telescope toward us.
'They are Europeans, cried Fritz; 'you can easily judge from the face of the officer.'
Fritz's remark was true; but yet I did not like to go too near. We remained in the bay, manoeuvring our canoe, and I cried out through my speaking-trumpet these three words, Englishmen, good men ! But no answer was returned ; our cajack, and more than all, our home-made costumes, I expect, made them take us for savages. Then the officer made signs to us to approach, and held up knives, scissors, and glass beads. This mistake made us laugh ; but we did not approach, |
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