I must certainly own, that this was the most pleasant year I ever had on the island; for after some time Friday began to talk pretty well, and understood the names of those things which I was wont to call for, and the places where I used to send him.  So that my long silent tongue, which had been useless so many years, except in an exclamatory manner, either for deliverance or blessings, now began to be occupied in teaching, and talking to my man Friday for indeed I had such a singular satisfaction in the fellow himself, so innocent did his simple and unfeigned honesty appear more and more to me every day, that I really began entirely to love him; and for his part, I believe there was no love lost, and that his nature had been more charmed by his exceeding kindness, and his affections more placed upon me, than any other object whatsoever among his own countrymen.  I once had a great mind to try if he had any hankering inclination to his own country again; and by this time, having learned the English so well; that he could give me tolerable answer to any question which I demanded.  I asked him whether that nation to which he belonged, ever conquered in battle?  This question made Friday to smile, and to which he answered, Yes, yes, we always fight the better; as much as to say, they always got the better in fight.  Upon which we proceeded on the following discourse:  You say, said I, that you always fight the better; why, then, Friday, how came you to be taken prisoner?

Friday. But for all that my nation beat much.

Master. How say you, beat? if your nation beat them, how came you to be taken?

Friday. They more many mans than my nation in the place where me was; they take one, two, three, and me:  my nation much over beat them in the yonder place where me no was, there my nation mans beat one, two, three, great tousand.

Master. Then why did not your men recover you from the hands of your enemies?

Friday. They run one, two, or three, and me:  they make all go in the canoe; my nation have no canoe that time—­

Master. ’Tis very well, Friday; but what does your nation do with the prisoners they take?  Do they carry them away and eat them as these have done?

Friday. Yes, yes, my nation eat mans too, eat up all.

Master. To what place do they carry them to be devoured?

Friday. Go to other nations where they think.

Master. Do they bring them hither?

Friday. Yes, come over hither, came over other place.

Master. And have you been with them here, Friday?

Friday. Yes, me been here, (pointing to the north-west of the island, being the side where they used to land.)