106 HAWAII AND OAIIU. 



exchanged tokens of friendship. I was desirous of clearing up the 

 mystery that hung over their fate, and also that of the Waverley, and 

 directed the Peacock to visit, for this purpose, Strong's and Ascension 

 Islands, after leaving the Pescadores. 



The facts known concerning the Waverley are very few, but they 

 lead to the belief that she lies a wreck on Strong's Island. The 

 schooner Honduras, Captain Scott, went to Strong's Island under the 

 impression that the natives were very peaceable and friendly, intend- 

 ing to overhaul the vessel there, in the east bay. At noon on the 23d 

 of August, 1835, he arrived off the island. No canoes came alongside, 

 a circumstance which excited the suspicion of several of the crew that 

 had formerly resided there, for they knew that it was customary for 

 some of the natives to board a vessel as soon as she neared the island. 

 They told their fears to the captain ; but canoes arriving shortly after 

 with presents of bread-fruit, he manifested some displeasure that the 

 crew should have had any doubts on the subject, and calling to one of 

 them who formerly had lived there, told him to ask the natives where 

 all the white men were. They readily answered, " On the other side 

 of the island," which at once quieted the captain's suspicions, though 

 it appeared to confirm those of some of the crew who knew them better. 

 The captain, however, ordered the boat to be hoisted out, and gave as 

 many of the crew as chose, permission to go on shore. Two of them 

 went immediately, and then the captain and six others. Shortly after, 

 the natives began to throng on board. In about half an hour, those 

 remaining on board heard the captain call for help, which was the 

 last they knew respecting him. 



On seeing that the attack had begun on shore, the natives on board 

 instantly attacked the seven men remaining in the vessel. The mate 

 and another man rushed below, and having armed themselves with 

 muskets, they again reached the deck : the natives who had possession 

 of it, seeing the fire-arms, immediately jumped overboard. An Ameri- 

 can, named Webber, and a Malay, were found lying dead ; the other 

 three had disappeared. The natives now discovering that the muskets 

 were out of order, endeavoured again to get on board, but were kept 

 off until the swivels were loaded, when they all swam for the shore. 

 These two men at once slipped the cable, and got the vessel under 

 way. When beating out of the harbour, a cannon was fired at them 

 several times, with so well-directed an aim, that the shot passed close 

 to the vessel. This gun was believed to be a six-pounder, belonging 

 to the Waverley ; and it is thought that that vessel was captured, and 

 is now lying a wreck there. 



The Honduras put away for Ascension Island, where she arrived in 



