286 MALOLO. 



Midshipman Clark, who was ready to fire, was directed to fire over 

 his head, which did not stop him. 



J. Clark testifies that Lieutenant Underwood, M'Kean, and him- 

 self, were standing near the beach, waiting the return of Davis, when 

 they saw the chief escape from the boat, and heard the report of the 

 musket. The old chief, who was standing near, immediately cried 

 out that his son was killed, and ordered the natives to make fight. 

 Upon this two of them seized upon Clark's rifle, and tried to take it 

 from him. One of these he stabbed in the breast with his sheath- 

 knife ; the other Mr. Underwood struck on the head with the butt 

 end of his pistol, upon which both relinquished their hold. Lieu- 

 tenant Underwood then ordered the men to keep close together, and 

 they endeavoured to make their way to the boat facing the natives. 

 Lieutenant Underwood also called upon Midshipman Henry to assist 

 in covering the retreat of the men to the boats, to which Mr. Henry 

 replied, that he had just received a blow from the club of a native, 

 and would first have a crack at him. He then pursued the native a 

 few steps, and cut him down with his bowie-knife pistol, and had 

 again reached the water's edge, when he was struck with a short 

 club on the back of the head, just as he fired his pistol and shot a 

 native. The blow stunned him, and he fell with his face in the 

 water, when he was instantly surrounded by the natives, who 

 stripped him. The natives now rushed out from the mangrove- 

 bushes in great numbers, some of them endeavouring to get between 

 Lieutenant Underwood and the water, while others crowded upon 

 his party, throwing their short-handled clubs and using their spears. 

 Lieutenant Underwood having received a spear-wound fired, and 

 ordered the men to do the same ; and after he had fired his second 

 pistol was knocked down by the blow of a club. Clark at the same 

 time was struck, and had no farther recollection. 



J. Dunnock says that he was at some distance from Lieutenant 

 Underwood at the time the attack was made ; and the first intimation 

 he had of it, was Lieutenant Underwood's order to keep together and 

 go down to the boat. While obeying the order, he saw the natives 

 seize upon Clark's rifle, and strike Lieutenant Underwood ; but after 

 this he had as much as he could do to avoid the clubs and spears 

 hurled at himself. He says that Mr. Henry was near him, and up 

 to his knees in water, when he received the blow from the short club 

 which knocked him down lifeless, with his face in the water. He did 

 not see the hostage escape, nor hear the gun fired. 



