M A L O L O. 301 



their guard, had not been constantly manifested. It is difficult to 

 imagine how some of the officers should, in spite of all warnings, 

 have indulged an over-confidence in the peaceable disposition and 

 good intentions of the natives; and it is still more surprising that this 

 should have been the case with Lieutenant Alden, who had charge of 

 the party for the time being, and who had frequently expressed himself 

 satisfied, and had also warned others, that the natives of Malolo were 

 not to be trusted. This opinion was not adopted by him without 

 good gnrands ; for on his former visit, about six weeks before, they had 

 shown a disposition to cut off the launch and first cutter, of which he 

 was then in charge. There was no absolute necessity for obtaining 

 provisions, and still less for his allowing Lieutenant Underwood to 

 remain an hour and a half on shore, chaffering for two or three pigs, 

 when they knew the tender was in sight, and that she would reach 

 the place of rendezvous before night. 



The whole of this afflicting tragedy I cannot but believe grew out 

 of a want of proper care and watchfulness over the hostage, after he 

 had shown a disposition to escape, and a heedlessness that it is im- 

 possible to look at without astonishment. The hostage certainly 

 would never have attempted to escape, had there been a proper guard 

 kept over him while in the boat ; and from the evidence of all those 

 who were on shore, it appears certain that no disturbance took place 

 until the escape was made. 



I am well aware, that all the officers and men present were not at 

 the time satisfied with the punishment inflicted. Many of them even 

 thought that all in any way concerned in the murder ought to have 

 been put to death. 



But I felt then as I do now, that the punishment was sufficient and 

 effectual, while it was accompanied, as far as it could be, with mercy. 

 Some, no doubt, will look upon it as unnecessarily severe ; but if they 

 duly considered the wanton murders that have been committed on the 

 whites in this group of islands, merely to gratify the desire of plunder 

 or the horrid appetite for cannibal repasts, they would scarcely think 

 the punishment too severe. 



The warriors of this island were looked upon as a nest of pirates 

 even by the rest of the group, and had their great crime been suffered 

 to go unpunished, would in all probability have become more fearless 

 and daring than ever. 



The blow I inflicted not only required to be done promptly and 

 effectually, as a punishment for the murder of my officers, but was 



vol. in. 70 



