1779. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 71 



with the circumstances of the place. Had I been 

 present myself, I might probably have been the 

 means of saving their little society from destruction. 



Several of the natives were shot, in making their 

 escape from the flames ; and our people cut off the 

 heads of two of them, and brought them on board. 

 The fate of one poor islander was much lamented by 

 us all. As he was coming to the well for water, he 

 was shot at by one of the marines. The ball struck 

 his calibash, which he immediately threw from him 

 and fled. He was pursued into one of the caves I 

 have before described, and no lion could have de- 

 fended his den with greater courage and fierceness ; 

 till at last, after having kept two of our people at bay 

 for a considerable time, he expired, covered with 

 wounds. It was this accident, that first brought us 

 acquainted with the use of these caverns. 



At this time, an elderly man was taken prisoner, 

 bound, and sent on board in the same boat with the 

 heads of his two countrymen. I never saw horror so 

 strongly pictured as in the face of this man, nor so 

 violent a transition to extravagant joy, as when he 

 was untied, and told he might go away in safety. 

 He showed us he did not want gratitude, as he fre- 

 quently afterward returned with presents of provi- 

 sions ; and also did us other services. 



Soon after the village was destroyed, we saw, 

 coming down the hill, a man, attended by fifteen or 

 twenty boys, holding pieces of white cloth, green 

 boughs, plantains, &c. in their hands. I knew not 

 how it happened, that this peaceful embassy, as soon 

 as they were within reach, received the fire of a party 

 of our men. This, however, did not stop them. 

 They continued their procession ; and the officer on 

 duty came up in time to prevent a second discharge. 

 As they approached nearer, it was found to be our 

 much-esteemed friend Kaireekeea, who had fled on 

 our first setting fire to the village, and had now 



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