about noon
One of our men attempted to resist , upon which a Negro drove a spear through his thigh . Having divided our apparel , after some consultation , they tied our hands , and placing us in the midst of a large force , armed with spears and bows and arrows , they went off with us for the inland part of the country . We set off with heavy hearts ; taking , as we thought , a last farewell of the ocean , and going forwards in great apprehension of the fate that awaited us . The sand was very deep , and the heat of the sun excessive , for it was then about noon . Without any garments , we were soon scorched and blistered all over , and in intolerable anguish , as well as fatigued ; but the Negroes compelled us to move on , goading us with their spears if we slackened our pace , and threatening to run us through if we made a halt . We longed for the night , as it would afford a temporary relief to our sufferings . It came at last , and the Negroes collected wood and lighted a fire to keep off the wild beasts , lying round it in a circle , and placing us in the midst of them .