'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎227] (336/496)

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after being on board of the Isabella, he spoke as well as any one in the
vessel.
The natives, by signs, informed Captain Lewis that the crew of the
Charles Eaton were murdered and eaten by the inhabitants of an is
land situated about sixty miles to the northward, called by them Boydan,
with whom they were at war about the time of this disastrous wreck ;
and knowing or hearing that two white people were in the hands of these
cannibals, the kind-hearted Murray islanders, by some stratagem or ma
noeuvre, managed to rescue these two lads from such a miserable exist
ence, and brought them in safety to their happy isle, where they treated
them with the greatest hospitality. Young D’Oyly was given over to
the care of the women, who were quite proud of their charge, and show
ed him the utmost affection. Ireland was offered a wife, and a plot of
ground, if he would only remain amongst them, but he refused, hoping
that a time would come when he might escape, and be able once again
to visit his native land. When taken off by the Isabella, the poor boys
had been nearly two years in captivity, and they both really seemed to
part with their friends with much regret. The savages were also dis
tressed at their proteges leaving them never to return. It was with the
greatest difficulty, and not before many presents were given, that they
were at last persuaded to part with them. The women who brought
the child off, when he was taken from them made the most dread
ful lamentations, beating their breasts, and howiing and weeping most
piteously. Captain Lewis informed us afterwards, when we fell in with
him, that the scene was altogether a most affecting one: we could hard
ly have believed that savages could ever have shown so much fondness
for children ; and this noble trait speaks volumes in their favor, and makes
their character doubly more interesting to the Christian world. Poor
young D’Oyly, when given over to strangers, cried most bitterly, and
wanted much to return to his old protectors: his grief at parting with
those who had been so kind to him, lasted for several days, and none
but Ireland could pacify him. He shunned the faces of all on board, and
endeavoured to hide away in some dark corner of the vessel, quite dread
ing the approach of any one. At night his fears were beyond credence :
he would not allow his companion in misfortune to be out of sight for
one instant. I do not think the grief of this poor young child could be
wondered at, considering that he never experienced the fostering care
of a mother’s hand, or could have known a mother’s love, having been taken
from his hapless parents when only a few months old, so that he could