 and that he could
understand almost all I said to him, and speak fluently, though in broken
English to me; I acquainted him with my own Story, or at least so much of it as
related to my coming into the Place, how I had liv'd there, and how long. I let
him into the Mystery, for such it was to him, of Gunpowder, and Bullet, and
taught him how to shoot: I gave him a Knife, which he was wonderfully delighted
with, and I made him a Belt, with a Frog hanging to it, such as in England we
wear Hangers in; and in the Frog, instead of a Hanger, I gave him a Hatchet,
which was not only as good a Weapon in some Cases, but much more useful upon
other Occasions.
    I describ'd to him the Country of Europe, and particularly England, which I
came from; how we liv'd, how we worshipp'd God, how we behav'd to one another;
and how we traded in Ships to all Parts of the World: I gave him an Account of
the Wreck which I had been on board of, and shew'd him as near as I could, the
Place where she lay; but she was all beaten in Pieces before, and gone.
    I shew'd him the Ruins of our Boat, which we lost when we escap'd, and which
I could not stir with my whole Strength then; but was now fallen almost to
Pieces: Upon seeing this Boat, Friday stood musing a great while, and said
nothing; I ask'd him what it was he study'd upon, at last says he, me see such
Boat like come to Place at my Nation.
    I did not understand him a good while; but at last, when I had examin'd
farther into it, I understood by him, that a Boat, such as that had been, came
on Shore upon the Country where he liv'd; that is, as he explain'd it, was
driven thither by Stress of Weather: I presently imagin'd, that some European
Ship must have been cast away upon their Coast, and the Boat might get loose,
and drive a Shore; but was so dull, that I never once thought of Men making
escape from a Wreck thither, much less whence they might come; so I only
enquir'd after a Description of the Boat.
    Friday describ'd the Boat to me well enough; but brought me better to
understand
