At  first  I  kept  within  my  cell,  alarm'd

At  this  discovery  J  but  by  degrees

My  fears  wore  off,  nor  have  been  since  renew'd.
HERBERT.
This  sure  was  dropp'd  within  the  time,  you  mention  j
And  it  will  ask  some  thinking,  to  determine.
99

Whether  to  seek  the  friendship  of  these  Indians,

Or  hide  froin  them  as  foes,  if  we  indeed

Are  all,  who  have  surviv'd  this  fatal  shipwreck.
UMFREVILLE.
How  far  is't  to  the  rocks,  on  which  ye  struck?

HERBERT.
Along  the  windings  of  the  shore  perhaps

It  may  be  some  three  leagues. — 'Twas  in  a  bay

Just  round  yon  lofty  point,

UMFREVILLE.
Full  well  I  know
That  bay,  for  in  my  first  excursions  hence,
I  climb'd  yon  headland  to  survey  the  country;
And  I  can  bring  you  to  the  place,  you  mention.
Across  the  land,  within  an  hour  at  farthest.
FERDINAND.
Why  not  then  now  set  forward  ?

HERBERT.
And  so  learn
Our  fate  at  once  ?

FERDINAND.
But  we  must  first  explain


40

To  Julia  our  intention,  or  our  absence
May  much  alarm  her.
[^Ferdinand  and  Herbert  go  into  the  cave.
FUANK.
Why  put  the  question  to  him.     'Tis  no  treason  j
Besides,  he  has  a  pleasant  countenance.
THOMAS.
Do  you. — I  dare  not.
FRANK.
Pshaw !

UMFREVILLE.
What  is't,  my  friends

THOMAS.
Sir,  if  a  man,  whose  beard
Is  but  some  two  or  three  days  old,  may  venture
To  speak  to  your  grave  reverence,  whose  chin
Bears  on't,  I  make  no  doubt,  ihe  growth  of  ages,
I  would  fain  know,  whether  you  here  abide
From  choice,  or  from  necessity? —

UMFREVILLE.
What  think  you.
Is  this  a  spot,  deserves  to  be  pick'd  out
For  habitation }


41


FKANK.
