166 FEJEE ISLANDS. 



They were asked many questions, and among others, what had 

 induced them to commit the murder. They admitted that Lieut. 

 Underwood and Mr. Henry had done nothing to offend them, 

 and that they had been killed without the slightest cause. 



Captain Wilkes now told them that he would grant them 

 pardon, but they must supply the squadron with water and 

 provisions ; with which conditions they agreed to comply. 



The next day they appeared on the beach and fulfilled their 

 agreement. This was according to their custom, that the 

 conquered should work for the victors. They acknowledged 

 their loss to be about one hundred persons ; we did not lose in 

 the combat, a single life, and only very few were wounded. 

 These wounds were inflicted with spears and arrows, for their 

 fire-arms were rendered harmless by being over-charged. It 

 is said to be their practice to put charges into them according 

 to the size of the person they intend to fire at ; they almost fill 

 the barrel with powder when they shoot at a large man. 



Thus ended this affair, an awful and a severe lesson to the 

 savages, but not more so than they deserved. It must be re- 

 membered that the murderers were looked upon by their 

 own countrymen as a set of pirates. I think it would be a 

 blessing to the whole race if the United States or some other 

 civilized nation would conquer them into subjection and order. 

 ft would at once put an end to their dissensions and barbari- 

 ties, and afford encouragement to commerce and safety to per- 

 son and property. 



The moment Captain Hudson received intelligence of the 

 melancholy disaster, he directed the ship's colors to be half- 

 masted, and issued the following order : — 



" Information having been received from the commander of 

 the expedition, of the death of Lieutenant Joseph A. Under- 



