MALOLO. 287 



M'Kean states that he was standing by the side of Lieutenant 

 Underwood at the time they were awaiting the return of Davis ; that 

 suddenly there was a movement among the natives, and the cause of 

 it was discovered to be the escape of the hostage. Mr. Underwood, 

 anticipating trouble, immediately ordered the men to assemble and 

 make for the boat. 



John Sac's story corroborates that of M'Kean. He says, that upon 

 hearing the gun, and seeing the hostage escaping, the chief cried out 

 that his son was killed, and gave the war-cry. 



On seeing the attack, Lieutenants Emmons and Alden pushed for 

 the shore, with both boats. The former had already started to en- 

 deavour to retake the hostage. The boats commenced firing as they 

 sailed in on some natives who appeared to be wading out to meet 

 them. As soon as the boats took the bottom, all jumped out except 

 two boat-keepers, and waded in, occasionally firing at the natives, 

 who now retreated, carrying off their dead and wounded, and soon 

 disappeared behind the mangrove-bushes. 



Before reaching the beach, J. Clark was met, badly wounded, and 

 was taken at once to the boats. On the beach lay Lieutenant Under- 

 wood, partly stripped, and Midshipman Henry, quite naked, with a 

 native close by the latter, badly wounded, who was at once despatched. 



The party, picking up the bodies, bore them to the boats. On the 

 first inspection, some faint hopes were entertained that Midshipman 

 Henry was not dead ; but a second examination dissipated this idea. 



The boats now hauled off, and made sail to join the tender, where 

 they had seen her in the morning at anchor. 



Every attention was paid to the wounded and dead by the officers 

 that affection and regard could dictate ; and I could not but feel a 

 melancholy satisfaction in having it in my power to pay them the last 

 sad duties, and that their bodies had been rescued from the shambles 

 of these odious cannibals. Yet, when I thought that even the grave 

 might not be held sacred from their hellish appetites, I felt much 

 concern relative to the disposition of the bodies. I thought of com- 

 mitting them to the open sea; but one of the secluded sand-islands 

 we had passed the day before occurred to me as a place far enough 

 removed from these condor-eyed savages to permit them to be en- 

 tombed in the earth, without risk of exhumation, although there was 

 no doubt that our movements were closely watched from the highest 

 peaks. On consultation with the officers, they concurred with my 

 views on this point. 



There being no doubt, from the reports of all parties present, that 



