Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-04-13

the barrel. Having heated the pieces OF
iron, he Hammered them out, and shaped
them just as he pleased with hard stones
and sawed them with his jagged knife
By persevering industry, he ground them
TO an edge, and hardened Them to a good
temper as there was occasion; and thus he
procured harpoons, lances, fishooks,, and a
long knife. All this may seem strange TO
those who are not acquainted with the sa-
gacity of the Indians; but it is no more
than these Mosquito men are accustomed
| to in their own country, where they make
their own fishing and striking instruments
without either forge or anvil, though they
spend great deal of time about them
| Having obtained these cOnveniences he
no longer lived upon seals, nor did he af-
forwards ever kill any, except when he
wanted lines which no made by cutting
the seal skins into thongs. He had now
plentiful and comfortable subsistence,
living upon goats, birds, or fish, as best
suited his inclination; his clothes wore out
but he supplied theirplace by fastening a
skin round his waist; he built house or
hut, about half mile from the beach,
which he lined with goat skins. TO rem
der it complete, his couch of sticks, raised
about two feet distance from the ground,
was spread with the same, and constituted
his only bedding.
During the period of Williams resi-
dence on the island, he was often sought
for by the Spanyards; and at one time,
being guided by the light of his fire, they
nearly surprized him. This escape, and
his having frustrated, by his activity and
wilcs, all their endeavors to take him.
made his pursuers consider him to be a
supernatural being. Will could easily
distinguish his friends from the Spaniards,
by the rigging and appearance of their
vessels and boats, and on two English
ships making their appearance he almost
went frantic with joy, surprising they
cone on purpose to fetch him away-of
such consequence is man Of himself In
order 10 give them hearty welcome, he
caught and killed three goats, and dressed
them with the ''chonta" (cabb ge PALM
that he might be ready to treat the crews
sa soon as they came on shore. On their
landing, he was recognized by a Mosquito
fndan, named ROBIN, who was the first
that lenped on shore. Will had stationed
himself at the seaside, dressed in lis goat.
skin, to congratulate them on their arri-
val. The meeting OF the two Indians, and
old freneds, was affecting. Dampier
gives the following DESCRIPTION of the scene
he Witnessed: Robin ran TO his brother
Mosquito man, threw himself fat upon his
face at his feet-who helping him up and
embracing him, fell flat with his face on
the ground at Robins feet, and was by
him taken up also. We stood with plea
sure to behold this interview, which was
exceedingly affectonate on both sides
and when their ceremonies OF ciyillty
were over, we also, that stood gazing a
them, drew near. Each of US embraced
him we had found there, who was over
joyed TO see so many Of his old friends
come hiiher, as he thought, purposely tc
fetch him. Dampier and Edmund Cool
were his former shipmates. The latte
was now only a private seaman; and VIII
found, that although his friends had no
made so long a voyage merely on his &C
connt, they proved ,hemse yes not un
mindful Of him; for, as soon as they ha
) anchored they Immediately got out thei
boat on purpose TO send for him. The
, stayed, to reft and refresh themselve:
f from the 23d of March to the Sth of A pr
1854. Will was very useful in procuring
goats, of which there was an abundanc
on the island; and, after having reside
there alone for three years, two month
and eleven days, he embarked with hi
former friends, TO renew the avocalion O
/, Buccaneer."