Wearily our voyage had continued for many weeks, yet we felt that having
been preserved from so many dangers, it would be sinful to complain. No
one was actually sick, not a life had been lost, and by great economy
our provisions and water had hitherto been sufficient for our
necessities. A flight of birds had passed over our heads, directing
their course to the north-east. We saw our chief watching them, and he
at once ordered the canoe to be steered in the same direction. All day
we stood on. Just as the sun was setting, we thought we saw a faint
blue peak rising out of the water, but even the most practised eye could
not determine whether it was land or a light cloud. We continued the
same course during the night. For several hours I watched, then,
overcome by fatigue, I fell asleep. "See! see!" I heard Jerry exclaim.
I jumped up. There appeared before us the lofty and rugged peaks of a
line of mountains. Of great height they seemed, after the low land to
which our eyes had been so long accustomed. Their sides were clothed
with verdure, pleasant and refreshing to the sight; and at their bases
were groves, and fields, and sparkling streams, with heat pretty-looking
cottages scattered about. There was a slight swell. When the canoe
rose to the top of it, we could see a yellow beach, with a circle of
bright, blue, calm water around it, and outside a line of white foaming
breakers, the guardians of the shore. "Otaheite! Otaheite!" exclaimed
the chief and his followers; and we thus knew that we were on the coast
of the dominion of the ill-treated Queen Pomare; but we also knew that
there were civilised men on shore, and that we should probably be
received there with kindness and hospitality.
Soon discovering a passage through the reef, we ran in, and were at once
surrounded by canoes full of people, wondering who we were and whence we
had come. Our friends quickly gave an outline of our and their
adventures, to satisfy curiosity. They found there several people from
their own island, one a chief who had become a wealthy man. He took
them to his own house, and had their canoe hauled up to be repaired. I
need not say that she was visited by all the foreign residents, curious
to examine a craft of so frail a structure which had performed so long a
voyage. Our consul was very civil to us, and we were received into the
house of an English gentleman, who treated us with the greatest
kindness. As we met with no very interesting adventures during our stay
here, I will content myself with giving a brief account of the island.
Otaheite was discovered in 1767, by Captain Wallis, who called it King
George's Island; but it is better known by the name of Tahiti. It is of
volcanic formation, and consists of two peninsulas joined by a neck of
low land, about two miles across. The whole island is about thirty
miles in circumference. The smaller portion, called Tairaboo, is the
most fertile; but as Tahiti proper has the best harbour, it is the most
frequented, and is the seat of government.
We know very little of the history of the island. Soon after its
discovery, a chief, who assumed the title of Pomare the First, made
himself king. His son, and then his grandson, succeeded him, and the
present queen is his granddaughter; her name is Aimata, but she has
taken the title of Pomare the Fourth. She has established a
constitution, and seven chiefs act as her ministers. For many years
both the chiefs and people have professed Christianity, having been
converted to a knowledge of the truth by Protestant missionaries. These
missionaries were undoubtedly earnest, pious men, but they have been
unable altogether to check the vices which the lawless rovers, outcasts
of every civilised nation in the world, have introduced among them.
Notwithstanding the counteracting influences I have mentioned,
civilisation was making progress in the island, under the teaching of
the Protestant missionaries, when the peace was disturbed by the arrival
of two French Roman Catholic priests. They travelled about the country
endeavouring to teach their doctrines, but in no place did they find
willing hearers. A few chiefs who were in opposition to the Government
for political motives, gave them some countenance, and they were
entertained at the house of the American consul. The people, however,
resolved that they should not remain to attempt the corruption of the
faith in which they had been instructed, and rising in a body, compelled
them to go on board a small vessel, which carried them to Wallis Island,
two thousand miles off. The French who had long desired the possession
of some island in the Pacific inhabited by partly civilised people, were
too glad to found a pretext on this circumstance for interfering in the
affairs of Tahiti. A frigate, the _Venus_, commanded by Monsieur Du
Petit Thouars, entered the harbour of Papieti. The French, captain,
bringing his guns to bear on the town, demanded satisfaction for the
outrage committed on his countrymen. The queen was inclined to resist,
but the foreign inhabitants, knowing that they should be the chief
sufferers, collected the amount demanded, which was at least four times
as much as any pecuniary loss the priests had incurred. He also forced
a treaty on the queen, by which Frenchmen were allowed to visit the
island at pleasure, to erect churches, and to practise their religion.
This was the commencement of the complete subjugation of the Tahitians
to the French. So much for the history of the island.
The valleys, and a plain which extends from the sea-shore to the spurs
of the mountains, are very fertile, and produce in great abundance all
tropical plants. The climate is warm, but not enervating; the scenery
is in many parts very beautiful. Thus the natives are tempted to lead
an easy and idle life, exerting but little their physical and mental
powers. It is, indeed, to their credit that they do not altogether
abandon themselves to indolence. They are by nature constituted to
enjoy the beautiful scenes by which they are surrounded. Consequently,
they delight in building their cottages in the most retired and lovely
spots they can find. Their habitations are surrounded with fences,
inside which they cultivate the taro, and sweet potatoes, the banana,
the bread-fruit, the vi-apple, groves of orange and cocoa-nut trees, and
at times the sugar-cane. Their habitations are of an oval shape, often
fifty or sixty feet long, and twenty wide. They are formed of bamboos,
planted about an inch apart in the ground. At the top of each wall thus
formed, a piece of the hibiscus, a strong and light wood, is lashed with
plaited rope. From the top of the four walls the rafters rise and meet
in a ridge, those from the ends sloping like those from the sides. The
rafters, which touch each other, are covered with small mats of the
pandanus leaf, which, closely fitted together and lapping over each
other, forms a durable roof, impervious to the rain. The earth, beaten
hard, forms the floor. There are no regular partitions, but mats serve
the purpose when required. Their bedsteads are made of a framework of
cane raised two feet from the ground, and covered with mats, the most
luxurious using pillows stuffed with aromatic herbs. They have neither
tables nor chairs. Their style of cooking is very simple: they bake
their food in extemporised ovens filled with hot stones. Since my
return I have often intended to propose having a picnic, and to cook all
our food in Tahitian fashion. The dress of the people is undergoing a
rapid and considerable change. Formerly a native cloak and kilt was all
that was thought necessary; now every sort of European clothing is in
vogue. We had an example of this at a feast our English friend gave to
a number of chiefs and their relations. Some of the gentlemen had on
uniform coats, with nankeen trousers too short for them, and coloured
slippers. Others had top-boots, red shirts, black breeches, sailors'
round jackets, and cocked hats. Some had high shoes and buckles, and
others had no shoes at all; but all had shirts and trousers, or
breeches. Some, indeed, were in complete costume: shoes, stockings,
trousers, waistcoat, coat, shirt, with a huge neck-tie--every garment of
a different colour, and often too large or too small--while a little
straw hat was worn on the top of the head. Indeed, it was very evident
that their clothes had been collected from all parts of the world, many
garments probably having passed a probation in pawnbrokers' shops, or in
those of old clothes-men in London or Liverpool. I was particularly
struck by the total want of perception of congruity as to dress
exhibited both by men and women after they had abandoned their native
costume, which, if somewhat scanty, was graceful and adapted to the
climate. The women we saw were dressed in straw bonnets of huge
proportions and ugly shape, and loose gowns of gay colours reaching from
the throat to the ankles, with silk handkerchiefs tied round their
necks. A few wore wreaths of flowers round their heads, which formed a
picturesque part of their ancient costume. The people are said to be
very honest, and always seemed in good-humour, happy and cheerful, while
we never saw them quarrelling or disputing with each other, far less
coming to blows. Many of them are scrupulous in their attendance on
religious worship; the Sabbath is strictly kept by all, not even a boat
being launched, while those who are seen abroad are decently clothed,
going to or coming from church. What change French civilisation may
have worked in this state of things it is painful to reflect. We
visited several schools, and except that their skins were darker, the
appearance of the children differed little from that of the same class
in any part of Europe, while they appeared in no way wanting in
intelligence. In fact, from all we saw and heard, we came to the
conclusion that the inhabitants of the islands of Polynesia are
generally as capable of a high state of education and civilisation as
the people of any other race, while their minds are peculiarly
susceptible of religious instruction. Our fellow-voyagers afforded us a
good example of this. We much regretted that we could not converse
familiarly with them. Our missionary friend had especially won our
regard and esteem.
They were now anxious to return to their own island, the season of the
year being favourable for the voyage. It was with much regret that we
heard of their intended departure. With a large concourse of natives
and several English missionaries, we accompanied them down to the beach
to see them off. Prayers were offered up by all present for their
safety during their voyage. It was an impressive and affecting scene.
Many wept as the fine old chief and his friends stepped on board. He
could scarcely refrain from tears, nor could we. The frail canoe was
launched forth into the deep, the sail was hoisted, and away they went
on a voyage of three hundred miles, with full faith that the God who had
hitherto preserved them would watch over them still.
We did not at the moment believe that our departure was so near. The
next day the _Matchless_, a Liverpool whaler, arrived in the harbour of
Papieti. We met her master, Captain Brown, who told us that he was
bound for the coast of Japan, and that he should touch at the Bonin
Islands, and probably fish off there some time. At this latter place we
knew that Captain Frankland fully intended to call. How much his plans
might be changed by our supposed loss we could not tell, but at all
events we could not hope for a better opportunity of falling in again
with the _Triton_. Captain Brown had lost several of his people,--some
by sickness, others in a gale, and others by desertion. Hearing this,
Mr Brand offered his own and our services as far as the Bonin Islands,
or for a longer period, should we gain no account of our own ship. They
were without hesitation accepted. The _Matchless_ remained but a few
days, having called in merely to obtain water and a supply of fresh
provisions. Our kind English friend, not content with having supported
us all the time we remained at Tahiti, insisted on supplying us with as
good an outfit as he could procure in the country. When we expressed
our gratitude and unwillingness to be so great a burden on him, he
smiled. "What is the use of property, unless to do good with it?" he
remarked. "Do not say a word about the matter. When you reach home,
should the obligation weigh too heavily on your conscience, you can send
me back the value; but I then shall be the loser, as it will show me
that you will not believe in the friendship which induces me to bestow
these trifles as a gift." After this very kind speech we could do no
more than sincerely and cordially thank him. The day before we
embarked, he told us that he had been making inquiries about Captain
Brown. "I would rather that you had another man to sail with," he
observed. "He is a person with two countenances, I am afraid. On shore
he is mild, and obliging, and well-behaved; but afloat he is, I am told,
tyrannical and passionate, and often addicted to intemperance. You
will, accordingly, be on your guard. You will probably remain only a
few weeks with him, or I should advise you to give up the voyage, and
wait for another opportunity of going westward." This was not pleasant
news, but we resolved on no account to delay our departure, and,
thanking our friend for his warning, as well as for all the kindness we
had received at his hands, we the next day went on board the
_Matchless_.
She was a fine vessel, and well-found with boats and gear. How great a
contrast did she offer to the frail canoe in which we had lately made so
long a voyage! How strongly built and rigged! How well calculated to
stand the buffeting of the winds and waves! How impossible did it seem
that any harm could come to her! I felt this, I own, as I walked her
deck. She had already taken twenty whales, or fish, as sailors wrongly
call them. For some time Captain Brown was very civil and good-natured,
and we began to hope that our friend had received a wrong account of
him.
Although we did not expect to meet with whales, men were always kept at
the mast-heads on the look-out. I shall not forget the excitement of
the scene when, after we had been a week at sea, the cry was uttered
from aloft, "There she spouts! there she spouts!" In an instant
everybody was alert. "Where away? where away?" was asked. The point
where the whale had appeared was indicated. The boats were lowered; the
crews leaped into them. The master went in one, two mates in others.
Off they pulled in hot chase. The whale sounded; the men lay on their
oars. In half an hour she rose again, throwing up a jet of sparkling
foam into the air. Again the boats dashed on. The master's headed the
rest. His harpoon struck the monster. One of the other boats got fast
directly after. Then off went the whale at a terrific speed, dragging
the boats after her directly away from the ship. Now she sounded, and
all their lines were run out; but just as they would have to cut, up she
came again. We followed under all sail.
The day was drawing to a close when another whale was seen floating idly
close to us. The possibility of obtaining another rich prize was not to
be lost. Mr Brand had served for three years in a whaler, and was now
doing duty as mate. He ordered a boat to be manned. Jerry and I
entreated that we might accompany him. "One only can go," he answered;
"I am very sorry." The lot fell upon me. Jerry was never jealous.
"Old Surley and I will take care of each other," he answered. Away we
went. A long, low island was in sight from the mast-head. The other
boats could nowhere be seen. We got up to the whale before she sounded.
I fancy she was asleep. The harpoon Mr Brand shot into her awakened
her up. Off she went in the direction of the land, at a great rate. I
wished Jerry had been with us. It was so pleasant to be dragged along
at so furious a rate, the foam flying over the bows of the boat.
Formerly harpoons were always darted by the hand. Now fire-arms are
used. The butt of the harpoon is placed in the barrel, and the rope is
attached to it by a chain. Less skill and strength is required to
strike the whale, but just as much skill and experience is requisite to
avoid being struck in return and smashed to atoms by the wounded animal.
Whenever the whale slackened her speed, we hauled up in the hope of
getting another harpoon into her, but she was soon off again; then she
sounded, and we were nearly losing our line. Again she rose; a second
harpoon was run into her. Off she was again. At length blood mingled
with the foam from her spouts. With fury she lashed the water around.
"Back! back for your lives!" shouted Mr Brand. Well it was that we got
out of her way in time. One blow from those tremendous flukes would
have destroyed us.
Loudly we shouted as the monster lay an inanimate mass on the surface of
the deep. Then we looked about us. We had approached close to the
island, but darkness was settling down over the face of the waters. The
ship was not to be seen. Clouds were gathering thickly in the sky. A
gale, we feared, was brewing. Our safest plan was to lie by all night
under the lee of the whale. The wind came from the very direction where
we believed the ship to be. We should never be able to pull against it.
We had got out our harpoons from the dead whale, and were putting our
gear in order, when, just as we were going to make fast to it, the huge
mass sunk from our sight! We looked at each other with blank
disappointment. It was gone--there can be no doubt about it, and was
utterly irrecoverable. "Don't grumble, my lads. We should have been
worse off had we been fast to it with a gale blowing, and unable to cut
ourselves adrift," exclaimed Mr Brand. "Let us thank the Almighty that
we have escaped so great a danger. We'll run under the lee of that
island for the night, and try and find the ship in the morning."
Accordingly we bore away, and were in a short time in comparatively
smooth water. Still the weather looked very threatening. We pulled in
close to the breakers. "Harry," said Cousin Silas, "I think we should
know that island. I see an opening in the breakers, and a clump of
trees on it which seems familiar to my eyes. We shall be better off on
shore than here. I will take the boat in." The men were somewhat
astonished when they received the order to pull in for the land. We
exactly hit the passage, and soon had the boat hauled up on the beach.
"We will have a roof over our heads to-night, lads," said Cousin Silas,
leading the way, and in a quarter of an hour we were seated under the
shelter of the hut where we had lived for so many months! It was
strange that we had so unexpectedly fallen in with our own island again.
We lit a blazing fire, and caught some wild-fowl, and knocked down some
cocoa-nuts, which were now in season, and picked some bread-fruit, and,
with the provisions we had in the boat, enjoyed a capital meal, which
somewhat restored our spirits after the loss of our whale. As far as we
could discover, no one had been there since we left the spot,--even our
beds were ready for us. All hands rested soundly, and by the next
morning the short-lived summer gale had blown itself out. I mounted to
the top of our flag-staff, and to my no small satisfaction saw our ship
lying-to five or six miles off to the westward. I was hurrying with the
rest down to the boat, for I had no wish to be left again on the spot
though I felt an affection for it, when Cousin Silas stopped me. "We
have an important work to perform," said he. "Before we go we will
obliterate our former directions and write fresh ones, saying where we
are now going." I saw the wisdom of this precaution in case the
_Triton_ might visit the place; and, accordingly, with our knives we
carved in a few brief words a notice that we were well and bound for the
Bonins. This done, we embarked and ran out towards the ship.
On getting on board we found the captain in a desperately bad humour at
having been compelled by the gale to abandon the whales he had caught;
and our account of our loss did not improve his temper. He swore and
cursed most terribly at his ill luck, as he chose to call it; and, to
console himself, opened his spirit case and drank tumbler after tumbler
of rum and water. The result was soon apparent: he issued contradictory
orders--quarrelled with the mates--struck and abused the men, and
finally turned into his cot with his clothes on, where he remained for
several days, calling loudly for the spirit bottle whenever he awoke.
From this period he became an altered man from what he had at first
appeared, and lost all control over himself.
I will not dwell on the scenes which ensued on board the whaler. They
were disgraceful to civilised beings, and to men calling themselves
Christians. Cousin Silas, and the doctor, and Ben, did all they could
to counteract the evil,--the latter by exercising his influence forward,
and the others in endeavouring to check the officers, who seemed
inclined to imitate the example of the master. Cousin Silas had charge
of one watch, and he got Jerry and me placed in another, and he told us
instantly to call him should we see anything going wrong. Thus three or
four weeks passed away. We managed during the time to kill two whales,
and to get them stowed safely on board; and this put the captain into
rather better humour. However, the ship was often steered very
carelessly, and a bad look-out was kept.
We were running under all sail one day when, as I was forward, I saw a
line of white water ahead, which I suspected must be caused by a coral
reef. I reported the circumstance. Fortunately there was but little
wind. I looked out anxiously on either hand to discover an opening. To
the southward the line of foam terminated. The helm was put down, and
the yards braced sharp up; but in five minutes a grating noise was heard
and the ship struck heavily. The seamen rushed from below,--they full
well knew the meaning of that ominous sound, and they believed that the
ship was hopelessly lost. The captain at the time was unconscious of
everything. Cousin Silas hurried on deck, and, taking a glance round,
ordered the helm to be put up again, the yards to be squared, and the
courses which had been clewed up to be let fall. It was our only
chance. The ship's head swung round; once more she moved--grating on,
and, the doctor said, tearing away the work of myriads of polypi.
"Hurrah! hurrah!" a shout arose from all forward. We were free. Away
we flew.
This narrow escape ought to have been a warning to all on board.
Unhappily it was not. The same system was pursued as before. The other
mates grow jealous of Cousin Silas, and did their utmost to counteract
his efforts. One night Jerry and I were on deck, actively moving about,
followed by Old Surley, looking out in every direction; for it was very
dark, and the officers had been having a carouse. For some reason or
other I was more than usually uneasy. So was Jerry.
"I should not wonder," said he, "that something will happen before
long."
"I hope not, if it is something bad," said I; "but I'm not altogether
happy. I think that I will go and call Mr Brand."
"What shall we say to him, though? There will be no use rousing him up
till we have something to tell him." I agreed with Jerry, so we
continued talking as before.
"What are you youngsters about there?" shouted the first mate, who,
although it was his watch, was half tipsy. "Go below, and turn in; I'll
not have chattering monkeys like you disturbing the discipline of the
ship." Jerry and I hesitated about obeying, and Jerry whispered to me
that he would go and call Mr Brand. But the mate sung out, "Mutiny!
mutiny! Go to your own kennels, you young hounds!" and ordered some of
the watch on deck to carry out his commands. We could not help
ourselves, so we went below, and turning into our berths very soon fell
asleep.
How long we had been asleep I do not know. I was awoke by a terrific
crash and loud cries and shrieks. Jerry and I sprung up, so indeed did
everybody below, and rushed on deck. It was very dark; but from the way
the ship heaved and lurched, and the sheets of foam which flew over her,
we knew that she was among the breakers, and striking hard on a reef.
The fore-mast and main-mast had gone by the board. The mizzen-mast
alone stood. That fell soon after we got on deck, crushing several
people beneath it. Anxiously we hunted about shouting for Cousin Silas,
followed by Old Surley, who, since we came on board, scarcely ever left
our heels. We naturally sought him for advice. It was, indeed, a
relief to us to find him unhurt. In a short time we discovered the
doctor and Ben. We clustered together, holding on by the bulwarks; for
every now and then a sea came and washed over the decks, and we ran
great risk of being carried away. Nothing could we see on either side
beyond the white roaring breakers. Cousin Silas said that he was
certain we must have been driven some way on the reef, or the sea would
have broken more completely over us, and no one could have hoped to
escape. Several people had already been washed overboard, and had been
lost or killed by the falling masts; but who they were we could not
tell. What, also, had become of the captain we did not know. He had
not, that we could discover, come on deck. Perhaps, all the time he was
below, unconscious of what had occurred. All we could do was to cling
on where we were, till with daylight we should be able to tell our
position. Every now and then we felt the ship lifting, and it appeared
as if she was driving gradually over the reef. Another danger, however,
now presented itself--we might drive over the reef altogether, and sink
on the other side! We strained our eyes through the darkness; but,
surrounded as we were with spray, it was impossible to distinguish the
shore, even though it might be near at hand. If there was no land, our
lot would indeed be sad; for, wherever we were, it was clear that the
ship would be totally lost, and, as far as we could discover, all our
boats were destroyed. After two or three hours passed in dreadful
suspense, though it appeared as if the whole night must have elapsed,
the ship became more steady, and the sea broke over her less violently.
"We must get a raft made," exclaimed Cousin Silas. The men seemed to
look instinctively to him for orders, and willingly obeyed him. All
hands set to work, some to collect the spars which had not been washed
overboard, others to cut away the bulwarks and to get off the hatches--
indeed, to bring together everything that would serve to form a raft.
Dark as it was they worked away; for they knew that when the tide again
rose the ship might be washed over the reef and sink, or go to pieces
where she lay. How eagerly we watched for daylight to complete our
work! The dawn at length came; and as the mists of night rolled off, we
saw before us a range of lofty mountains, of picturesque shapes, rising
out of a plain, the shore of which was not more than a quarter of a mile
off. As the sun rose a rich landscape was revealed to us, of cocoa-nut
groves, and taro plantations, and sparkling streams, and huts sprinkled
about in the distance.
"At all events we have got to a beautiful country," observed Jerry, as
he looked towards it.
"One from which we shall be thankful to escape, and where our lives will
be of little value unless we can defend ourselves from the inhabitants,
who are, I suspect, among the most bloodthirsty of any of the natives of
Polynesia," answered Cousin Silas. "However, the sooner we can get on
shore, and establish ourselves in some good position for defence, the
better."
The raft, which had been constructed with the idea that we might require
it for a long voyage, was a very large one, and having launched it, we
found that it could not only carry all the ship's company, but a number
of other things. We found an ample supply of arms and ammunition--most
valuable articles under our present circumstances. We got them all up,
as well as our clothes and everything valuable in the ship which could
at once be laid hands on; we also took a supply of provisions, that we
might for a time be independent of the natives. One thing more was
brought up--that was, the still senseless body of the captain. There he
lay, totally unconscious of the destruction his carelessness had brought
on the ship intrusted to his care. In silence and sadness we shoved off
from the ship which had borne us thus far across the ocean. Many of our
number were missing; two of the mates and six seamen had been killed by
the falling of the masts, or washed overboard.
We paddled across the smooth water inside the reef as fast as we could,
hoping to land before any of the natives had collected to oppose us.
All our people had muskets, and some had cutlasses, so that we were able
to show a bold front to any one daring to attack us. As we neared the
shore we saw in the distance a number of people with bows, and arrows,
and clubs, hurrying towards our party. We soon ran the raft aground,
and, leaping on shore, were led by Cousin Silas to the summit of a rocky
hill close to where we were.
The savages advanced with threatening gestures. None of them had
fire-arms. We thus felt sure that, if they ventured to attack us, we
should make a good fight of it. Cousin Silas called four of the men to
the front, and ordered them to fire over the heads of the savages, to
show them the power we possessed. The savages halted at the sound, and
looked about to see what had become of the balls they heard whistling
above them. While they hesitated, Cousin Silas, cutting down a green
bough, went to the brow of the hill and waved it over his head--a token
of a friendly disposition, understood in all those regions. To our
great satisfaction, we saw the savages tearing down boughs, which they
waved in the same manner. Among the whaler's crew was a Sandwich
Islander who spoke the language of many of the people in those regions.
He was told to try and see if he could make them understand him. Waving
a bough he went forward to meet them, while the rest of us stood ready
to fire should any treachery be practised. They did not seem, however,
to have meditated any, and met him in a perfectly friendly manner.
After talking to them for some time, he came back and said he had
arranged everything. He told them that we were voyaging to our own
country, and that we had landed here to await the arrival of another
ship. If we were treated well, our friends would return the compliment;
but that if otherwise, they would certainly avenge us. This,
undoubtedly, was far from strictly true; but I have no doubt that it had
the effect of making the savages disposed to treat us hospitably. The
savages on this put down their arms and advanced towards us with
friendly gestures. Mr Brand, consequently, went to meet them, ordering
us, at the same time, to keep our arms ready in case of treachery. The
savages were very dark. Some of them, whom, we took to be chiefs, wore
turbans over their frizzled-out hair, and mantles and kilts of native
cloth. They shook hands with Mr Brand in a very friendly way, and
invited us all to their houses; but he replied that he preferred
building a house where we had landed, though he would be obliged to them
for a supply of food. The natives replied very politely that the food
we should have, and that they hoped we should change our minds regarding
the place where we proposed building a house.
After some further conversation the chiefs and their followers retired,
and Mr Brand advised all hands to set to work to fortify the hill where
we were posted, and to bring up the greater part of the raft, and
everything on it, to our fort. When this was done, we made a small raft
on which we could go off to the wreck, hoping to bring away everything
of value before she went to pieces. The natives watched our proceedings
from a distance, but our fire-arms evidently kept them in awe, and
prevented them from coming nearer. As soon as they had completed the
raft, three of the whaler's crew were eager to go off to the wreck; but
Mr Brand advised them to wait till just before daylight the following
morning, when they might hope to perform the trip without being
perceived. He warned them that the savages were especially treacherous,
and could in no way be depended on. Five or six of them, I think it
was, laughed at him, and asking why they should fear a set of black
savages, expressed their intention of going on board at once.
Accordingly, carrying only a couple of muskets with them, they shoved
off from the shore, and without much difficulty got up to the wreck. It
was then low-water, but the tide was rising. We watched them on board,
and then they disappeared below. We waited anxiously to see them
commence their return, but they did not appear. "They have broken into
the spirit-room, I fear," remarked Cousin Silas. "If so, I fear that
they will be little able to find their way back." An hour passed away.
We began to fear some disaster had befallen them. While watching the
wreck, we saw from behind a wooded point to the right a large canoe make
its appearance, then another, and another, till a dozen were collected.
It was too probable that some treachery was intended. We fired three
muskets in quick succession, in hopes of calling the attention of the
seamen. No sooner did the savages hear the sound of the fire-arms than
they paddled away towards the wreck. They had got nearly up to it, when
the seamen came on deck, and stared wildly around them, making all sorts
of frantic gestures. Seeing the canoes, they fired their muskets at
them, but hit no one; and then, throwing down their weapons on the deck,
they doubled their fists, and with shouts of laughter struck out at
their approaching enemies. The savages hesitated a moment at the
discharge of the muskets, but finding that they were not again fired at,
they paddled on at a rapid rate, and getting alongside the vessel,
swarmed in numbers on board. We saw that the tipsy seamen who made a
show of fighting were speedily knocked down, but what afterwards became
of them we could not tell. The savages were evidently eagerly engaged
in plundering the ship, and hurriedly loaded their canoes with the
things they collected. They, of course, knew that the tide was rising,
and that their operations might be speedily stopped. Some of the
canoes, deeply laden, had already shoved off, when we saw the remainder
of the savages make a rush to the side of the vessel; bright flames
burst forth from every hatchway; several loud reports were heard; then
one louder than the rest, and the ill-fated ship, and all who remained
on board, were blown into the air!