254 CAPTAIN COOK 



nal for the Hawaiians to make a general attack 

 with stones. The marines and the sailors in the 

 boats replied by a volley of musketry. The 

 islanders received this fire v^ith unbelievable 

 firmness, and flung themselves on the English 

 party with wild yells. It was a dreadful melee. 



Four marines retired to the rocks and were 

 massacred. Three others were severely wound- 

 ed. Lieutenant Phillips was wounded between 

 the shoulders with a pahooa, and his assailant 

 was about to repeat the blow when Phillips, 

 who had not yet fired, killed his aggressor with 

 a bullet. 



Meanwhile Cook had reached the edge of the 

 shore. He faced the raging crowd alone. They 

 dared not attack this fearless chief, who quelled 

 them with his steely glance. A few paces away, 

 the boats in the bay were firing on the natives. 

 Suddenly Cook, with a gesture of admirable 

 humanity, turned towards the boats and ordered 

 his men to cease firing. This generous move- 

 ment proved fatal to him. A Hawaiian warrior 

 flung himself upon him, and struck him from 

 behind with his knife. Cook staggered, flung 

 up his arms, and fell face downwards into the 

 sea. 



Captain Cook was dead. 



