TYE AND SUALIB. 24) 
and go on board the launch. Having no choice left, he took out all 
the arms and the chronometers, and, keeping the natives at bay, by 
pointing the guns at them and threats of killing them, the crew reached 
the launch in safety. The natives took possession of the first cutter, 
dragged her over the reef, and stripped her of every thing. They then 
appeared to be eagerly watching the launch, at which they occasion- 
ally fired their muskets, with which they are better provided on this 
island than elsewhere. They did not prove good marksmen, how- 
ever, for they did no damage. 
Two natives, from another part of the shore, now swam off to the 
Jaunch, with offers of assistance to Lieutenant Perry; but he supposed 
that this was done to spy out his weakness, and learn how to take ad- 
vantage of it. He, therefore, at once seized and retained them. They 
proved to be a great chief and an inferior one. After he had obtained 
possession of these men, the natives on shore gave him no further 
trouble, but remained lurking about the mangroves. 
The next morning, the weather having moderated, he was enabled 
to get out of the bay, and reached the ship at the above date. 
This occurrence was another cause of detention. Immediately on 
receiving the report, I ordered the two prisoners to be put into irons, 
and the schooner and eight boats, four from each ship, to be ready for 
service at sunset. Twenty additional men and officers were put on 
board the tender. Captain Hudson and myself both accompanied the 
party, which left the ships at the appointed time. Our first ren- 
dezvous was about twelve miles from the ship, and it was my in- 
tention to reach Sualib by daylight the next morning. We, however, 
found so much sea on the outside of the reefs, from the late gale, that 
it was dificult to pull against it. Tom Granby, of whom I have be- 
fore spoken, took an oar in my boat, somewhat reluctantly, to pull 
with the crew. It was no sinecure, particularly to one who was not 
accustomed to rowing, and Tom soon grew weary, as became quite 
apparent to me, by an occasional expression of fatigue, which an oar 
twenty feet long soon brings about. After a hard pull, we reached the 
small island, and [ immediately ordered the few boats’ crews that had 
arrived to get what rest they could previous to the arrival of the 
others. My own tent was quickly pitched for that purpose, and all 
were snugly slumbering in a short time, except Tom, whose ill-humour 
would not allow him to take rest. He continued grumbling for some 
time, and, finding that no notice was taken of him, allowed his mo- 
roseness to get the better of him. His complaints became so loud as 
to keep many of us from sleeping, and J was compelled to silence him, 
by threatening to tie him to a tree, and leave him there until our re- 
VOL. III. vi 31 
