Accidents > Dangers of the deep, or, Narratives of shipwreck and adventure at sea

192 INDIAN HOSPITALITY,
any farther ceremony, sat down by the fire
to warm myself, and dry the rags I wore.
Yet I cannot say my situation was very easy,
as I expected every instant to see two or three
men come in and thrust me out, if they did
not deal with me in a rougher manner.
Soon after the two women came in again,
having, as I supposed, conferred with the In¬
dian, our conductor; and appearing to be in
great good-humour, began to chatter and
laugh immoderately. Perceiving the wet and
cold condition I was in, they seemed to have
compassion on me, and the old woman went
out and brought some wood, with which she
made a good fire; but my hunger being im¬
patient, I could not forbear expressing my de¬
sire that they would extend their hospitality a
little farther, and bring me something to eat.
They soon comprehended my meaning, and
the younger, beginning to rummage under
some pieces of bark that lay in the corner of the
wigwam, produced a fine large fish : this they
presently put upon the fire to broil; and when
it was just warm through, they made a sign for
me to eat. They had no need to repeat the in¬
vitation ; I fell to, and dispatched it in so short
a time, that I was in hopes they wouldcompre-