272 DELINQUENCY OF TWO NATIVE BOYS. 



the river : I had brought these down with me, 

 and upon examining their things when leaving 

 the vessel, found that two of them had secreted 

 a number of articles in their mats. Of course I 

 detained them, intending to flog them. I now 

 told Obie of their conduct and my intention, 

 and requested him to send his sons to witness the 

 punishment. He made some objections to my 

 flogging his people. I persisted in my intention, 

 as they had been caught in the fact, and in our 

 present situation the slightest symptom of weak- 

 ness or indecision would have ruined us. I asked 

 him to give me the two other boys, one of whom 

 was acting as my servant, which he readily ac- 

 ceded to, saying I might have a dozen more if 

 I liked. 



On taking my leave, he accompanied me to 

 the water-side, and I returned on board com- 

 pletely exhausted. During my absence a great 

 quantity of wood had been brought aboard, and 

 I found that we most probably should be ready 

 to start the next night. 



In the morning the two young princes came ofl" 

 to witness the punishment of the boys. They 

 were accompanied by a great number of canoes, 

 and I must confess I felt rather nervous about 



