4>j6 MR. Watson's proceedings 



that a white man was on shore, and wished the master to go 

 and fetch him off, which was refused. Mr. Watson then 

 laid out an immense quantity of merchandise, which he 

 said he would give for the white man, and desired the chief 

 to send his canoe ashore to fetch him ; stating, however, that 

 he would retain him on board till the white man came, and 

 also, that if he was not immediately brought, he would 

 either hang or shoot the chief, and he had rope prepared for 

 the purpose, as also a gun. This manoeuvre had the desired 

 effect on the chief, who immediately despatched his canoe 

 to the shore. For three days and nights Mr. Watson was 

 compelled to cruise off the island, the natives still refusing 

 to bring off Forbes. Towards the close of the third day 

 they brought off the boy, but would not put him on board 

 until Mr. Watson placed the rope round the chief^s neck, — 

 when they came alongside ; and as the crew of the Essing- 

 ton were hoisting Forbes up the side of the vessel, the chief 

 jumped overboard into his canoe. Mr. Watson made the 

 chief come on board again, and told him that although he 

 had deceived and wished to entrap him, yet he would shew 

 that the white men were as good as their word ; and not 

 only gave the chief the promised wares, but also distributed 

 some to each of the other ten canoes. This line of conduct 

 had a very good effect on the natives, who after receiving 

 the goods expressed great joy, and as they were leaving kept 

 up a constant cheer. Forbes at first appeared in a savage 

 state, but after a short time, stated the following parti- 

 culars relative to the loss of the " Stedcorabe," and the 

 massacre of the crew : — The " Stedcombe," Mr. Barns, 

 master, arrived off the coast in the year 1823. Mr. Barns* 



* When at Sydney, in 1838, I met Mr. Barns, who corrobo- 

 rated Forbes's account. — J. L. S. 



