RETALIATION AND REVENGE. 241 
Intelligence of this deed spreading quickly 
through the colony, produced instant retribu- 
tion from the musket of an Englishman. 
Long inflamed by jealousy, at the decided 
preference shown by their females for the 
strangers, the passions of the Tahaitians were 
exasperated beyond endurance, by this act of 
retaliation; they made a sudden attack by 
night on the English, and murdered all, ex- 
cept one man named Adams, who, though se- 
verely wounded, contrived to escape into the 
forest, and elude the pursuit of the mur- 
derers. The women rendered desperate by 
the massacre of their lovers, and eager for 
revenge, found means to obtain it the very 
next night. They overpowered the Tahai- 
tians in their sleep, and murdered them to 
aman! 
As soon as it was light in the morning, 
these blood-stained Megeras sought for the 
corpses of their beloved Englishmen, and_per- 
ceiving that Adams was missing, conjectured 
that he might be concealed and safe; al- 
though traces of blood were visible on the 
ground of his hut. They accordingly search- 
VOL. I. M 
