s uncle.  He informed them
he had lately seen Captain Swan, who with his men had been assisting
Rajah Laut in fighting against the hill tribes, and were held in high
estimation.

Here Dampier endeavoured to persuade some of the crew to return for
Captain Swan to Mindanao, but his plan being betrayed to Captain Reed
and Captain Tait, they made haste to be gone.  Dampier afterwards heard
that some of the people had got away to Batavia, and from thence to
Europe; that some had died; and that Captain Swan and his surgeon, in
attempting to get on board a Dutch ship, had been upset by the natives
and drowned.

Dampier being here unable to make his escape, was carried on to the
island of Celebes.  As they were coasting along during the night, the
sound of numerous oars was heard, and, supposing they were about to be
attacked, they got up their arms and stood ready to defend themselves.

As soon as it was day they saw a large proa, with about sixty men in
her, and six smaller proas.  These lay to about a mile to windward to
view the stranger, probably intending to make a prey of her.

At last the _Cygnet_ hoisted Dutch colours, hoping to allure them
nearer, but they pulled away, and were soon out of sight.  Standing into
this bay, they came to an anchor near a spot where a vast number of
trees grew, and one especially of great size.  This Captain Reed ordered
to be cut down to form into a canoe, as all their boats had been lost
during the storm.  Dampier and many others, who had been logwood-cutters
in the Bay of Campeachy and Honduras, were expert at this work.  They
took their turns, cutting together, but were one whole day and a half
before they got it down.  This tree was eighteen feet in circumference,
and forty-four clear trunk, without knot or branch.  Great was their
disappointment on examining it to find that it was rotten at heart, and
would not serve their purpose.

Soon after sailing, while becalmed, two or three waterspouts were seen,
which seemed terrible, as it was impossible to get out of their way.
The w