1?79. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 6*9 



The next morning, the boats of both ships were 

 sent ashore for water \ and the Discovery was warped 

 close to the beach, in order to cover that service. 

 We soon found that the intelligence which the priests 

 had sent us was not without foundation ; and that 

 the natives were resolved to take every opportunity 

 of annoying us, when it could be done without 

 much risk. 



Throughout all this group of islands, the villages 

 for the most part are situated near the sea ; and the 

 adjacent ground is inclosed with stone walls about 

 three feet high. These, we at first imagined, were 

 intended for the division of property ; but we now 

 discovered, that they served, and probably were 

 principally designed, for a defence against invasion. 

 They consist of loose stones, and the inhabitants are 

 very dexterous in shifting them, with great quickness, 

 to such situations, as the direction of the attack may 

 require. In the sides of the mountain, which hangs 

 over the bay, they have also little holes, or caves, of 

 considerable depth, the entrance of which is secured 

 by a fence of the same kind. From behind both 

 these defences the natives kept perpetually harassing 

 our waterers with stones ; nor could the small force 

 we had on shore, with the advantage of muskets, 

 compel them to retreat. 



In this exposed situation our people were so taken 

 up in attending to their own safety, that they em- 

 ployed the whole forenoon in filling only one ton of 

 water. As it was therefore impossible to perform 

 this service, till their assailants were driven to a 

 greater distance, the Discovery was ordered to dis- 

 lodge them, with her great guns ; which being ef- 

 fected by a few discharges, the men landed without 

 molestation. However, the natives soon after made 

 their appearance again, in their usual mode of attack; 

 and it was now found absolutely necessary to burn 

 down some straggling houses, near the wall, behind 

 which they had taken shelter. In executing these 



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