1844.] RENEWAL OF ATTACK. 141 



gig ; indeed, we fancied that we could observe some of 

 our party confined as prisoners on the fighting stage of 

 the Chief's vessel. All the vessels of this division were 

 larger, and even more highly decorated than the first 

 we had engaged, and were evidently bent on more de- 

 cided resistance. 



Inspired with the determination to rescue, what we had 

 deemed to be our unfortunate shipmates, from the gripe 

 of such an enemy, we advanced. The Chief, in the 

 largest and outermost vessel, was most gorgeously attired, 

 and he and his party capering amidst yells and antics, 

 enough to confound the most determined, seemed to 

 consider us as certain prey. Strict injunctions were given 

 not to fire musketry until after the discharge of our long 

 gun, and then only at such objects as were clearly discerned. 

 After a rapid discharge of Shot, Canister and Rockets, 

 they made for the reef, and one or two of the vessels 

 appeared to be sinking, so much did they heel by the 

 escape of the natives from one side. 



The prahu that had occupied the van continued firing, and 

 I was just aiming a rocket at the Chief, who was waving 

 his kris aloft in defiance, when a well-directed shot from 

 his brass gun struck my rocket-frame from beneath, and 

 glancing upon my thigh, knocked me overboard, wound- 

 ing me severely. Fortunately, I had sufficient presence 

 of mind to hold on by the gunwale of the boat and thus 

 supported myself until assisted into her by the Assistant- 

 Surgeon Mr. Adams, and Mr. Joseph H. Marryat. The 

 crew assert that the natives yelled lustily when they saw 

 me fall, this was, however, their last effort, they fled pre- 

 cipitately to the reefs, and abandoned their vessels. Five 



