MASSACRE BAY. 259 
the naturalist Laman, and fourteen persons 
from the crews of both ships, on their ven- 
turing ashore; although they had loaded the 
natives with presents. 
These savages attacked them with showers of 
stones; and the muskets of the Europeans after 
the first discharge, which unfortunately did but 
little execution, could not be reloaded speedily 
enough for their protection. Triumphing in 
their inhuman victory, they mangled and plun- 
dered the remains of their unfortunate victims. 
We sailed to the scene of this dreadful occur- 
rence, since called Massacre Bay. The appear- 
ance of the country was inviting; the shores 
were bordered with cocoa-trees, and the freshest 
vegetation enlivened the interior, but nothing 
betrayed that the island was inhabited; no 
smoke arose, and no canoe was to be seen ; this 
was the more remarkable, as on La Peérouse’s 
arrival, his ship, as soon as perceived by the 
natives, was surrounded by several hundred 
canoes laden with provisions. A small canoe, 
carrying only three men, at length rowed to- 
wards us; we laid to, and by signs gave per- 
mission to the savages te come on board; this 
