50 ADDRESS. 



the cabin windows. The men aloft now succeeded in setting the 

 after sails, for the purpose of getting the vessel's head off shore. 

 There being no man at the helm, and the savages masters of the 

 deck, a sailor came down from the fore-top, loosed the flying jib, 

 and hoisted the sail ; while the rest braced the fore-yards in such 

 a manner as to gain some headway from the land. Some of the 

 seamen, who had concealed themselves, discovered the mate's 

 track to the cabin ; and six of them were occupied in loading the 

 guns, and passing them to him. 



One man, who actually leaped from the main shrouds, over the 

 heads of the enemy, into the hatches, was severely wounded in his 

 descent; and again, after obtaining a gun, from occupying too 

 exposed a situation. After receiving the last hurt, he staggered 

 back, saying, " Mr. Jones, I have lost my leg !" The mate bound 

 up the limb, and he sat loading and passing muskets during the 

 remainder of the conflict. A man was heard at the wheel, who, it 

 appeared, was the chief. He could not be seen, but they fired 

 random shots, the second of which entered his left side, passed 

 through his heart, and out under the right arm. He leaped from 

 the deck, and fell dead. The canoes still approached, and, for 

 fifteen minutes longer, death was dealt in frightful forms to the 

 astounded natives. Jones now determined to retake the deck at 

 all hazards. Each man, with loaded gun, advanced to the gang- 

 way; as they went up, they met from those aloft the joyful 

 announcement, " They are overboard !" Every savage had sprung 

 into the water. The crew levelled their guns, and, as the enemy 

 rose to the surface, gave them a parting volley, and immediately 

 made sail. One short hour had deprived them of all their senior 

 officers ; reduced their number to fourteen, fit for duty ; cost the 

 savages a score of lives, including that of their chief; ruined the 

 prospects of the voyage ; and placed in command of a fine ship a 

 young man whose courage and skill would make him an ornament 

 to our navy. 



