430 A DEFRAUD ER PUNISHED. 



whom Mr. Laird had hired for six hundred 

 cowries, with the intention of making him pilot; 

 but the fellow absconded as soon as he had re- 

 ceived the amount. Four of our men had been 

 desired to mask themselves, to turn their coats 

 inside out, and to make themselves as frightful 

 as possible ; and were directed to seize the fu- 

 gitives, and handcuff them, the instant they came 

 on board. Before the man could ascend the 

 vessel's side, he, as well as his slave, the run- 

 away pilot, were in irons. So complete and un- 

 expected was the capture, that its effect was 

 just what we desired ; and to describe the fear 

 depicted on the countenances of the natives 

 would be impossible. The two culprits were 

 violently agitated, and two of the natives in the 

 canoe alongside threw themselves overboard, 

 and swam a considerable distance before they 

 could be induced to return. Had we been 

 able to have preserved our gravity, I have no 

 doubt that the example of these would have been 

 followed by every native on board ; however, suf- 

 ficient was effected for our purpose. The chief 

 immediately sent for what cowries he could com- 

 mand, amounting to twelve thousand ; and his 

 slave went away to fetch two elephant's teeth. 



