228 Pickering on the Language and Inhabitants 
The parents treat their children on the footing of equality ; yet the 
children are generally well behaved and are never punished, ex- 
cept occasionally when impatient for food. 
Such were the natives, among whom it was the unfortunate lot 
of a part of this American ship’s company to be held in captivity. 
It will be recollected, that at the time of their capture off Lord 
North’s Island, — which was on the 6th of December, 18352, — 
there were in their boat twelve Americans and the three Pelew 
Islanders, who were carried with them as hostages for the three 
Americans left on the Pelew Islands. But on the 3d of Februa- 
ry following, the captain, Edward C. Barnard, and a seaman, Bart- 
lett Rollins, effected their escape, by means of a ship which came 
in sight of the island, and which the natives prepared to visit 
in their canoes, in order to obtain iron or some other articles of 
value. ‘The other Americans attempted to accompany them in the 
canoes; but their savage masters, by blows and menaces, prevent- 
ed it; many were severely beaten, and all but two, the captain 
and seaman just mentioned, were detained by force ; these two 
were severely beaten, but were allowed to accompany the natives 
to the ship and escaped. ‘The others, relying upon the humanity 
of the captain and crew of the ship, for some time confidently 
expected to be released in some way from their captivity. The 
ship remained in sight about three hours, and at one time was so 
near, that the Americans remaining on the island could distinctly 
see the hands on board; but suddenly their hopes were blasted ; 
the ship was observed to be pursuing her course; and the wretch- 
ed captives were obliged to suffer the agony of seeing her grad- 
ually fading in the distance, and at last wholly vanishing from their 
sight! Most feelingly has the author of the ‘“ Narrative” said, 
that ‘‘their minds, after having been gladdened by the hope of 
