ANNIVEESAET ADDEESS. 27 



the people of Santa Cruz have understanding of the art of defence 

 as well as of attack is shown also by Carteret, who describes their 

 breast-worksj and the mode of delivery of their arrow shots in 

 true military style. Captain Moresby, E.N., who visited Santa 

 Cruz in H.M.S. " Basilisk," before the visit of the " Pearl " and 

 after the death of the Bishop, incidently confirms much that was 

 noticed by Carteret respecting these breast-works and the 

 weapons of offence. He says : — " The village " (in Byron's Bay, 

 mentioned by Carteret) " is fortified by low coral walls, breast- 

 high, the openings in which are overlapped by other walls, cal- 

 culated to throw an attacking party into some confusion." 



One thing has puzzled many persons in reference to the treat- 

 ment of Bishop Patteson after his death. Instead of disposing 

 of the body as cannibals might have done, they wrapped it in 

 native matting, tied at the neck and ankles, thrust a palm frond 

 into the breast, with five knots tied in it — and then placed it in 

 a canoe which was floated away. [See " Sketches, &c.," p. 186.] 

 Mr. Atkin who was wounded at the same time with the Bishop 

 and afterwards died, is recorded to have heard one of the natives 

 say, the Bishop was ta])u. If this word means the same as tabw 

 in Tonga, then it would appear they knew who in some degree 

 the Bishop was, and though they slew him respected his charac- 

 ter. They even " put a small kit of yams into the boat upon 

 which they fired." (p. 192.) 



It is certain that the visit of the " Basilisk " was of a peaceful 

 character, for Captain Moresby says : — " The friendliness of these 

 natives to us was remarkable, and I have deeply regretted to 

 learn that some difficulty has since arisen between them and 

 H.M. schooner, ' Sandfly,' during her late visit to this place, re- 

 sulting in the loss of numerous native lives." " An event of this 

 kind," he adds, " is to be regretted, not so much for the present 

 effect, as for the misunderstanding, the want of confidence, and 

 the revengeful feeling it produces in the future." 



As Captain Moresby thus alludes to H.M.S. " Sandfly," I have 

 been induced to look up the accounts respecting her adventure, 

 and the following particulars have been met with : — 



