436 APPENDIX. 



and taro, all of which we purchased. About 7 a. m., I found Vendovi 

 upon the beach, preparing to shove off in a small canoe, and applied 

 to him for a passage to the brig, which he refused, saying, " Why do 

 you wish to go on board ?" I answered, to get some tobacco and 

 coffee. " I'll bring them to you myself," he said, and ordered his 

 people to shove off. I now walked to our house, and sat down at the 

 end of it, to keep a look-out on the brig. When Vendovi had been on 

 board about fifteen minutes, I was surprised to see the chief who had 

 been retained as a hostage, get over the side, and land at a very unusual 

 place. I called the attention of my comrades to this singular procedure, 

 and as the hostage feigning himself sick came along, supported by two 

 men, I inquired what was the matter. He answered that " the spirit 

 had hit him." About 8 a. m., I saw the captain accompanying Vendovi 

 to the gangway of the brig, and immediately walk aft again, to give the 

 mate a bottle. The mate, with Vendovi and four men, in the pinnace, 

 now left the brig, and pulled for the same unusual landing-place, 

 where the hostage had landed. Vendovi, on landing, accompanied 

 Mr. Chitman, the mate, part of the way to the biche de mar house, 

 and there left him. I now inquired of Mr. Chitman why he came 

 on shore. He answered, " to bring the bottle of medicine to the sick 

 chief." This he accordingly deposited at the door of the house, and 

 went in. I lost no time when he came out to repeat my suspicions 

 of the natives to Mr. Chitman, who accordingly determined to return 

 without delay to the brig. On his way to the boat, Mr. Chitman 

 met Vendovi, who took him by the hand and walked along with him 

 a short distance, then suddenly seized him by both arms, and held 

 him fast while a native beat him to death with a club. I now betook 

 myself to the house, and loud shouts ensued outside, in the midst of 

 which I heard Vendovi's voice ordering his people to murder all the 

 whites. While this was in progress, the Kantavu chief gave orders 

 to fire the house, which was accordingly done in several places. 

 While the house was burning, three Tahitians belonging to the brig, 

 all wounded with spears, came in and stood beside me : one of them 

 soon left us ; the second sat down in a corner, saying he would 

 sooner be burned than clubbed to death. I remained with the third 

 until I heard a native outside telling another that the white men were 

 all dead, and it was time to share the spoils. When no longer able 

 to bear the heat, we ran out together and took to the water. The 

 Tahitian was a good swimmer, eluded the pursuit of the natives, and 

 got safe on board. I was up to my waist in the water, when, looking 



