404 ROBINSON CRUSOE.

not ; but he comes to me, and, speaking English, “ Sir,” says
he, “you are a stranger to me, and I to you; but I have some-
thing to tell you that very nearly concerns you.”

I look steadfastly at him a good while, and thought at first
I had known him; but I did not. “If it very nearly concerns
me,” said I, ‘‘ and not yourself, what moves you to tell it tome?”
“ T am moved,” says he, “by the imminent danger you are in,
and, for aught I see, you have no knowledge of it.” “I know
no danger I am in,” says I, “ but that my ship is leaky, and I
cannot find it out ; but I intend to lay her aground to-morrow,
to see if I can find it.” ‘But, sir,” says he, “leaky or not
leaky, find it or not find it, you will be wiser than to lay your
ship on shore to-morrow, when you hear what I have to say to
you. Do you know, sir,” said he, “ the town of Cambodia lies
about fifteen leagues up this river ; and there are two large
English ships about five leagues on this side, and three Dutch?”
“Well,” said I, “and what is that to me?” “Why, sir,” said
he, “is it for a man that is upon such adventures as you are, to
come into a port, and not examine first what ships there are
there, and whether he is able to deal with them? Isuppose
you do not think you are a match for them?” I was amused
very much at his discourse, but not amazed at, it, for I could
not conceive what he meant ; and I turned short upon him, and
said, “ Sir, I wish you would explain yourself ; I cannot imagine
what reason I have to be afraid of any of the Company’s ships,
or Dutch ships. I am no interloper. What can they have to
say tome?” He looked like a man half angry and half pleased,
and pausing awhile, but smiling, “ Well, sir,” says he, “ if you
think yourself secure, you must take your chance ; I am sorry
your fate should blind you against good advice ; but assure
yourself, if you do not put to sea immediately, you will the
very next tide be attacked by five long-boats full of men,
and perhaps, if you are taken, you will be hanged for a
pirate, and the particulars be examined afterwards. 1
thought, sir,” added he, “I should have met with a better
reception than this, for doing you a piece of service of such |
importance.” “I can never be ungrateful,” said I, “for
any service, or to any man that offers me any kindness ; but it
is past my comprehension what they should have such a design .
upon me for; however, since you say there 1s no time to be lost,
and that there is some villanous design on hand against me, I
will go on board this minute, and put to sea immediately, if my
men can stop the leak, or if we can swim without stopping 1t ;
but, sir,” said I, “shall I go away ignorant of the cause of all