128 REW A. 
time that all their canoes should be retained alongside. The king and 
chiefs were immediately informed, through the interpreter, that they 
were prisoners, and that the object was to obtain Vendovi, the mur- 
derer of the crew of the Charles Doggett, some eight years before. It 
may readily be imagined that this announcement threw them all into 
great consternation, while it was, at the same time, a matter of surprise 
to all the officers of the ship. ‘The poor queen was apparently the 
most alarmed, and anxiously inquired of Phillips if they were all to be 
put to death. Phillips was equally frightened with the rest, and it was 
observed that his nerves were so much affected for some time after- 
wards that he was unable to light a cigar that was given him, and 
could not speak distinctly. Captain Hudson reminded them, that 
they had visited the ship of their own accord, and without any pro- 
mise of safeguard from him; that his object was to obtain Vendovi, 
and that all hopes of obtaining him without this decisive measure 
had failed; that he meant them no harm, but it was his intention to 
detain them until Vendovi was brought off. The canoes were like- 
wise secured, and orders given to allow none to leave the ship. The 
whole party thus made prisoners consisted of seventy or eighty 
natives. 
The king and chiefs, when they had recovered themselves a little, 
acknowledged that our demand was a just one; that Vendovi deserved 
to be punished; that he was a dangerous character among themselves ; 
and that they would be glad to see him removed. At the same time, 
they said they thought the capture of Vendovi impossible, and gave 
many reasons for this opinion. They expressed great fears for the 
missionaries and their families, when the people of Rewa should hear 
of their detention. Captain Hudson had assured himself previously 
of the perfect safety of the missionaries and their families, and well 
knew that this was a ruse on the part of the king to induce him to 
change his purpose. 
They soon found him fully determined in his purpose. It was 
shortly arranged that, with his permission, Ngaraningiou and another 
chief should go quietly to Rewa, take Vendovi by surprise, before he 
had time to escape, and bring him on board alive if possible. In order 
to insure protection to the missionaries and their establishments, they 
were particularly told that the missionaries had nothing to do with the 
business, and did not know of it, as was evident from Mr. Jagger 
having returned to Rewa before they were detained, and that every 
influence must be exerted to protect them from harm, or the prisoners 
might expect the most exemplary punishment. 
