452 APPENDIX. 



hostage, whom I immediately took into my boat. With the aid 

 of my glass, I saw Lieutenant Underwood, with several of his crew, 

 apparently in conversation with a party of twelve or fifteen natives. 

 Nothing occurred for the space of an hour, when Robert Furman 

 was sent off by Lieutenant Underwood to inform me that the natives 

 would not trade unless for muskets or powder. I directed Furman 

 to return to the shore and say to Mr. Underwood, that I would not 

 consent to such an exchange while the schooner was within reach ; 

 that we could be supplied by her ; and to hurry off, as I thought he 

 had been quite long enough absent to purchase all we required, if the 

 natives were disposed to trade. About this time Midshipman Henry 

 obtained my permission, and left for the shore. A few minutes after, 

 a small canoe came alongside, and after an exchange of some words 

 with the hostage, he displayed a little anxiety to return with them to 

 the shore. As they pushed off, he attempted to leave the boat, when 

 I took him by the arm and directed him to sit down, giving him to 

 understand, as well as possible, that he must keep quiet till the return 

 of our party. Shortly after, Lieutenant Emmons rejoined me, and 

 made his boat fast to mine. 



In about half an hour Jerome Davis came off to say, that with an- 

 other hatchet Lieutenant Underwood could purchase all we required. 

 I directed Davis to take it to him, and say to Mr. Underwood, 

 that I desired to see him without delay ; to come off with what 

 he could get as soon as possible. In the mean time, the water 

 having risen, I ordered the Leopard to drop in as near the landing as 

 possible. She had been gone about ten minutes, when the hostage 

 jumped overboard and made for the beach, which was the first inti- 

 mation I received of any thing going wrong on the shore. I imme- 

 diately seized my rifle and directed it at him, when he slackened his 

 pace. I then ordered two men to follow and secure him ; he there- 

 upon resumed his course, when I determined to shoot him, but 

 stayed my hand lest his death should bring destruction to our 

 absent people. As I turned to direct my boat to be got under 

 way, I noticed Midshipman Clark in the act of firing, and ordered 

 him to fire over his head, at the same time directed Lieutenant 

 Emmons to pull after and take him if possible, dead or alive. 

 The report of fire-arms then reached us from the beach, to which 

 ensued a general melee, the natives having suddenly increased to 

 about fifty. By this time my boat was flying before a fresh breeze 

 to the stage of conflict, and I called to Lieutenant Emmons to follow 



