APPENDIX. 453 



me. In a few moments we passed the Leopard shoving out, when I 

 was informed of the death of Lieutenant Underwood. The boats had 

 not yet grounded, but we immediately jumped overboard, and with 

 all speed hastened to the beach, opening a fire upon the natives as 

 soon as they were within range, when they immediately dispersed, 

 carrying off their dead and wounded. Before we got upon the 

 beach, we found J. G. Clark (seaman), badly wounded and delirious; 

 I directed some one to take him to the boat, and continued my 

 course. When I reached the beach nothing living was to be seen. 

 Abovit ten paces from the water I found Lieutenant Underwood 

 lying upon his back, partially stripped of his clothing. I raised his 

 head upon my arm, and hope was for a moment nattered on per- 

 ceiving some signs of life ; but, alas ! he breathed twice only. 

 Turning aside from the melancholy spectacle, my eye fell on Mid- 

 shipman Henry, who lay very much in the same situation in which 

 I had found Lieutenant Underwood. This was the earliest intima- 

 tion I had had of his being one of the sufferers. I raised him in 

 my arms, and hope again was flattered — I thought I perceived him 

 breathe. A native lay a few paces from him, badly wounded. I 

 ordered him despatched ; and with heavy hearts we bore our mur- 

 dered comrades to the boat, and made sail for the schooner, which 

 we reached in about an hour, at five o'clock p. M. 

 Very respectfully, 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



(Signed) James Alden, 



Lieutenant, U. S. Navy. 



To Charles Wilkes, Esq., 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



XV 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



August 10th, 1840. 



Sir, 



You will proceed and finish the survey of Natavi Bay, from 

 Unda Point to the outside of Rambe Isle, thence to Somu-somu and 

 the bay within Kea Island, and between it and Mount Cocoa-nut. 

 At Somu-somu you will impress upon the chief that an active watch 

 is being kept upon his conduct towards the missionaries; and if 



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