292 JOHN LEDYARD. 



of our reach almost instantaneously, even before a 

 musket could be had from the arms-chest to fire at 

 them. The sentries had only hangers. This was 

 the boldest exploit that had yet been attempted, and 

 fcad a bad aspect. Clerke immediately sent to the 

 commodore, who advised him to send a boat on 

 shore to endeavor at least to regain the goods, if 

 they could not the men who took them; but the 

 errand was as ill executed as contrived, and the 

 master of the Discovery was glad to return with a 

 severe drubbing from the very chief who had been 

 so maltreated by Clerke. The crew were also pelted 

 with stones and had all their oars broken, and they 

 had not a single weapon in the boat, not even a cut- 

 lass, to defend themselves. When Cook heard of 

 this, he went armed himself in person to the guard 

 on shore, took a file of marines, and went through 

 the whole town, demanding restitution, and threaten- 

 ing the delinquents and their abettors with the 

 severest punishment; but, not being able to effect 

 any thing, he came off just at sunset, highly dis- 

 pleased, and not a little concerned at the bad ap- 

 pearance of things. But even this was nothing to 

 what followed. 



"On the 13th, at night, the Discovery's large 

 cutter, which was at her usual moorings at the 

 bower buoy, was taken away. On the 14th the 



