128 The Story of the New England Whalers 



In 1827, while Captain Alexander Macy, of the 

 ship Peruvian, was "in latitude 9 deg. 14 min. 

 south and longitude 167 deg. 48 min. west," he 

 "discovered land bearing from westsouthwest 

 to south by west, 12 miles distant, his ship then 

 heading south by east. On the following day he 

 saw two other islands, or prominent parts of the 

 island seen the day before, with valleys intervening, 

 lying to the south and west, the nearest part four 

 miles distant. This island was well wooded," and 

 in a way not pleasing "it was found to be inhab- 

 ited." Not at all timid were these islanders. 

 "At 3 P.M. a canoe with five natives of large stature 

 and ferocious countenances, well armed with 

 spears and clubs, came under the stern of the 

 Peruvian, and remained there nearly an hour. 

 Soon after many other canoes were seen at the 

 leeward paddling in a direction as though their 

 object was to intercept the ship. The manoeuvres 

 of the natives appeared so hostile that Captain 

 Macy made all sail offshore." When the ship's 

 course was changed the whole native fleet came 

 directly in chase, and they were yet bending to 

 their paddles when night came on; but the wind 

 held fair and the ship escaped. 



