What does this quote mean "I asked them we were not to be eaten by those white men with horrible looks."

In context:

When I recovered a little I found some black people about me, who I believed were some of those who brought me on board, and had been receiving their pay; they talked to me in order to cheer me, but all in vain. I asked them if we were not to be eaten by those white men with horrible looks, red faces, and loose hair. They told me I was not; and one of the crew brought me a small portion of spirituous liquor in a wine glass; but, being afraid of him, I would

not take it out of his hand."

I am assuming we're talking about sunburnt seamen. He was afraid the crew were cannibals.