Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ... Supposing, which was not likely, that the Malay captain would under such circumstan'ts have consented to receive him on board. As the moment drew near which was to decide his fate, and either give him his freedom, or consign him to a slavery more hopeless than ever before, it may be imagined that poor Jim's heart grew faint with fear that some unthought of accident might defeat his well-laid.scheme. Should the natives conclude to put some one else in the boat, and retain him ashore, or should the wind fail, or worse yet, the fleet of boats suddenly heave in sight, he knew that his first, perhaps his only chance for deliverance was gone. But luckily the breeze held, the boats did not make their appearance, and the natives appeared to think of anj thing else but his escape. When yet full two canoe loads remained upon the beach. Jim determined that he would venture no more. While along side, and slowly passing in the wood, the anchor was silently run up to the bows, and, overturning the canoe with his foot, with a shout of exultation my friend jumped aboard, and with hearty swigs pulled up the mainsail, while the captain steered the vessel out of the harbor. For some moments the savages did not comprehend the drift of the maneuver, so completely had Jim's actions if the previous day won upon their confidence, but when they saw him pulling lustily at the halyards, and the vessel gathering headway toward the harbor's mouth, they set up a roar of angry disappointment, and rushed wildly up and down the beach, railing upon him to come back. Having a fair wind, however, they were soon out of hearing and sight of Jim's savage comrades, and next morning no longer saw the land. The Malay captaiu supplied him with some clothing, the first he had woru since, ..
