16 MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY 



hiva, the captain of this ship left John Maury and six 

 men on the island to procure sandalwood and other 

 articles of commerce. They were, of course, to be taken 

 off on the return from China; but the war broke out and 

 the ship was blockaded in a Chinese port by the English. 

 Meanwhile the Americans were left to shift for themselves 

 on Nukahiva, and in a war between two tribes, one of 

 which was friendly to them, all the white men were killed 

 except John Maury and another man named Baker. 

 Fortunately, Porter visited the island during the famous 

 cruise of the Essex, and rescued the two survivors. In 

 order that he might learn something about the history 

 of his brother while on the island. Midshipman Maury 

 set about studying the language of the natives, during 

 the three weeks or so of his visit. And shortly before his 

 departure he was able to converse with the old chief who 

 had been his brother's friend. 'The Happas and the 

 Typees", Maury wrote, "were at war. The latter 

 having just captured three children from the former, 

 we went to the rescue and recovered two, the third had 

 been eaten. When we returned to the Happa Valley 

 from the expedition — it was the valley where dwelt my 

 brother — the men had liberty and the old Happa chief 

 remained on board as a hostage, for his subjects were all 

 a set of savages and the women literally in the fig leaf 

 state. At night when all the men had come off safe and 

 sound, and a few days only before we left, I was sent to 

 take the old fellow ashore. Going ashore, I made myself 

 known to him. He was the firm and fast friend of my 

 brother. Had saved his life. He was then old. He it 

 was that offered me his scepter, his own wife, and the 

 daughter of a neighboring chief if I would remain". 

 Needless to say, this flattering offer was rejected, and 



