48 ADDRESS. 



vicinity of the Feejee Islands, ran in near shore ; when a large 

 number of the natives came on board, in the most friendly man- 

 ner, bringing bread-fruit and yams, which they presented to the 

 captain and officers. They evinced great curiosity to examine and 

 understand every thing they saw, particularly the harpoons, lances, 

 and spades, in the boats ; and, without the least suspicion of their 

 evil intentions, Captain Coffin took these instruments out of one of 

 the quarter-boats, and showed the chief who came on board the 

 manner in which they were used in killing whales. While he was 

 employed in doing this, he had occasion to step forward a moment : 

 the instant his face was turned, a savage, who had a boat-spade in 

 his hand, aimed a fatal blow at the unfortunate man, which severed 

 his head from his body. A general rush was now made by the 

 savages to overcome the crew ; some of whom fled below, others 

 aloft, and a part prepared to sell their lives as dearly as possible. 

 The mate, after a desperate struggle, wrested the spade from the 

 native who had killed the captain, and laid him dead on the deck ; 

 he then went below for a moment, but returned on deck, and 

 fought until overpowered by numbers and killed. The second 

 mate jumped overboard, and was killed in the water. A number 

 of the crew fled aloft, to escape instant death. Mr. Jones, the 

 third mate, after a severe struggle with the savages for the posses- 

 sion of a spade, was forced aft, and, seeing no other resource, 

 dropped his hold ; he being then the only white man to be seen on 

 deck. Without arms, nothing could be done ; and they were all 

 in the after-cabin, the entrance to which was guarded by half a 



tion ; and his messmates, anxious to preserve his life, burnt out the flesh by means of 

 heated marline-spikes ! and it is yet exceedingly problematical whether even an imper- 

 fect recovery may be ultimately accomplished. We have mentioned these particulars, 

 because a private subscription has been voluntarily started by some benevolent indi- 

 viduals ; and we know that an object so truly deserving of commiseration cannot be 

 neglected in this community. If we cannot restore that which is lost, or even alleviate 

 present miseries, we can at least make the attempt, and thereby evince o tr sympathy. 

 Nantucket Enquirer. 



