164 MASSACRE OF LIEUTENANT UNDERWOOD 



breastwork of baskets, filled with roots, which they had thrown 

 up for the occasion. Mr. Emmons wished to pull to wind- 

 ward to avail himself of a light breeze, but he had only got a 

 few yards off when some of the canoes appeared disposed to 

 commence the attack, and executed a manoeuvre by which 

 they expected to get his boat on the reef when she might be 

 carried by boarding. But Mr. Emmons brought his blunder- 

 buss to bear upon the natives, and ordered them to change 

 their course, which, strange to say, they had the folly to do. 

 Being now where there was plenty of water, Lieutenant Em- 

 mons opened fire upon the canoes. Large numbers were 

 killed and wounded, and the rest leaped overboard. During 

 the pursuit which followed, several of the fugitives gained a 

 canoe which had drifted out from the shore, and put off to 

 seaward, passing over a reef upon which there was not suffi- 

 cient water for the boat to float. Three of the captured 

 canoes were cleared of their " lumber," and taken along-side 

 the "Porpoise." The fourth being badly stove, was left on 

 the reef until next morning, when she was also secured. 



Subsequent investigation confirmed the opinion, that these 

 canoes had left the island with the express intention of cut- 

 ting off Mr. Emmons. Their known loss was twenty-seven 

 men ; but there is good reason to believe that it was much 

 greater. Our own party had the good fortune to escape with 

 a few slight wounds. 



It was Captain Wilkes's intention to renew the attack 

 next day, (27th,) but early in the morning one of the women 

 who had been liberated the preceding day, came down to the 

 beach, and begged for mercy to the survivors, describing in 

 moving terms the misery to which they had been reduced. 



Captain Wilkes told her to return to those who sent her, 

 and state that he would not listen to the mediation of women ; 



