LANDING ON JUAN FERNANDEZ. 685

ambuscades from both banks of the river, and though they beat back the
enemy, Dampier perceived that the town was too well defended to be carried
by a coup-de-main, while his force was insufficient for a regular attack. They
therefore dropped down the river in a state of great discouragement to
Point Garachina, and on the 6th of May rejoined their ships. Having
exhausted the supply obtained at Schucadero, they suffered greatly from
want of provisions ; but, fortunately, a Spanish vessel in the night anchored
close alongside, was immediately boarded and taken, and rejoiced them with
an ample store of flour and sugar, brandy and wine, marmalade and other
luxuries and necessaries; so that they suddenly passed from a state of
destitution to one of unbounded plenty. Selkirk was put on board the prize,
as representative of Stradling and his company; one Fennel, as representa-
tive of Dampier and the crew of the St. George.

They now ran across the Bay of Panama, and on the 14th arrived off
Tobago, where they lay to, and addressed themselves to the pleasant task
of rifling their prize. While thus engaged, a quarrel broke out between the
commanders, and it waxed so bitter that they agreed to separate, giving
the men their choice to stay in either vessel as they chose. In consequence,
five of the crew of the St. George went on board the Cingue Ports, and five
of the crew of the latter embarked in the St. George. Then the two vessels
parted, nor did they ever again meet.

From this period until the end of August the Cingue Ports kept cruising .
along the shores of Mexico, or among the islands, but no prizes were made.
A disagreement meanwhile arose between Stradling and Selkirk, and the
latter resolved, at whatever risk, to quit the ship. Being compelled by
want of provisions to carry the Cinque Ports to Juan Fernandez, Stradling
recovered there two of his crew, who had managed to conceal themselves on
the arrival of the French vessels already spoken of, and who now described
their island-life in such glowing terms that Selkirk was more than ever
resolved to leave the Cingue Ports. Accordingly, when the galley was fully
refitted, he was landed with all his effects, and he leaped on shore in a
temporary transport,of joy and freedom. He shook hands with his comrades,
and bade them adieu in a hearty manner ; but no sooner, says Howell, did
the sound of their oars, as they left the beach, fall on his ears, than the
horrors of being left alone, cut off from all human society, perhaps for ever,
rushed upon his mind. His heart sunk within him, and all his resolution
failed. It was in vain, however, that, rushing into the water, he imggpred
those on board to take him with them. Stradling laughed at his entreaties,
and declared that his present situation was the most proper for so discon-
tented and rebellious an individual.

In the second part of this Appendix we give in eztenso Selkirk’s own
narrative, as furnished to Captain Woodes Rogers, of his lonely life upon -
the island of Juan Fernandez. Our notice of it here will, therefore, be very
brief.