It was strange, indeed, for me to find myself so suddenly the centre of interest and of generous intentions.

For a moment the thought occurred to me that they regarded me as some wonderful being with superior powers, and were trying to propitiate me by these services; yet I soon saw that these services were not at all acts of propitiation; they looked rather like those loving and profuse attentions which a family showers down upon some dear one long absent and at last returned, and with this my wonder grew greater than ever.
The galley had long since resumed her progress.

I heard the steady beat of the oars as they all moved in time, and at length the motion ceased.

The chief then signed to me and went out.

I followed, and the rest came after.