Be that as it would, we were obliged to go on shore somewhere or other for water, for we had not a pint left in the boat; when and where to get to it was the point. Xury said, if I would let him go on shore with one of the jars, he would find if there was any water, and bring some to me. I asked him why he would go? why I should not go, and he stay in the boat? The boy answered with so much affection as made me love him ever after. Says he, “If wild mans come, they eat me, you go wey.”
Ma comunque fosse andata la cosa, non potevamo dispensarci dallo sbarcare d’un modo o dell’altro, perchè non ci rimaneva un boccale d’acqua nella scialuppa: quando, e da che parte eseguire lo sbarco, qui stava la difficoltà. — «Se voi lasciare andar me con orcio a spiaggia, io veder bene se esservi acqua dolce, e portarvene alcun poco. — Ma perchè andarci tu, e non piuttosto io, e tu rimanere nella scialuppa?» Quel fanciullo mi diede tale affettuosa risposta che la ricordai sempre in appresso con tenera gratitudine. — «Se selvaggi uomi venire, mangiar me, tu scappar via.