1777* TWE PACIFIC OCEAN. 113 



hurried them to make an attempt which might have 

 involved them in still greater distress, had it not 

 been fortunately prevented. Between five and six 

 o'clock in the evening, I observed that all their ca- 

 noes in and about the harbour began to move offj as 

 if some sudden panic had seized them. I was 

 ashore, abreast of the ship at the time, and enquired 

 in vain to find out the cause ; till our people 

 called to us from the Discovery, and told us that 

 a party of the natives had seized Captain Gierke and 

 Mr. Gore, who had walked out a little way from the 

 ships. Struck with the boldness of this plan of retalia- 

 tion, which seemed to counteract me so effectually 

 in my own way, there was no time to deliberate. I 

 instantly ordered the people to arm ; and, in less 

 than five minutes, a strong party, under the com- 

 mand of Mr. King, was sent to rescue our two gen- 

 tlemen. At the same time, two armed boats and a 

 party under Mr. Williamson went after the flying 

 canoes, to cut off their retreat to the shore. These 

 several detachments were hardly out of sight, before 

 an account arrived, that we had been misinformed ; 

 upon which I sent and called them all in. 



It was evident, however, from several corroborat- 

 ing circumstances, that the design of seizing Cap- 

 tain Gierke had really been in agitation amongst the 

 natives. Nay, they made no secret in speaking of it 

 the next day. But their first and great plan of oper- 

 tions was to have laid hold of me. It was my custom 

 every evening to bathe in the fresh water. Very 

 often I went alone, and always without arms. Ex- 

 pecting me to go as usual this evening, they had de- 

 termined to seize me, and Captain Clerke too, if he 

 had accompanied me. But I had, after confining 

 Oreo's family, thought it prudent to avoid putting 

 myself in their power ; and had cautioned Captain 

 Clerke and the officers not to go far from the ships. 

 In the course of the afternoon, the chief asked me, 

 three several times, if I would not go to the bathing- 



VOL. VI. I 



