BOWDITCH ISLAND. 25 



that the chiefs of Sanapu had enticed away and secreted two of the 

 men, intending them for pilots of that harbour after the Peacock should 

 depart, and had promised to protect them. A messenger was at once 

 despatched across the island by Pea, the chief of Apia, demanding the 

 two deserters from the Sanapu chiefs; at the same time assuring them 

 that if the men were not immediately delivered up, the Peacock would 

 be removed to their harbour, and their town destroyed. This had the 

 desired effect, and the deserters were brought back to the ship by the 

 chiefs of Sanapu. 



Captain Hudson, after rebuking the chiefs for the part they had taken 

 in the transaction, and giving them some advice in regard to their 

 future intercourse with the whites, paid them the reward Lieutenant 

 Perry had offered for the apprehension of the deserters. 



On the 21st, Captain Hudson hearing that the noted Sangapolutale, 

 principal chief of the towns of Saluafata, Fusi, and Salelese, who had 

 protected and refused to give up the murderer of Gideon Smith, Tagi, 

 before mentioned, was at one of the towns near by on a visit, deter- 

 mined, if possible, to surprise and take him prisoner, to be held until 

 such time as the murderer were given up. For this purpose he visited 

 the town before daylight of the 22d, with a few officers and men, but 

 without success. 



Previous to this time, Captain Hudson had had intercourse with this 

 chief through our consul, Mr. Williams ; and had demanded of him the 

 punishment or delivery of the murderer, Tagi. In the course of the 

 communications, Sangapolutale acknowledged that the murderer ought 

 to be punished or given up ; said he once wanted to kill him himself; 

 but being a petty chief, he was backed and protected by the chiefs and 

 the people of the three towns before named, who were promised, in 

 case of necessity, assistance from some of the neighbouring chiefs, as 

 well as others on the opposite side of the island. He further said, that 

 he was desirous of giving him up, a few months before, to the com- 

 mander of the Porpoise. It was distinctly stated to Sangapolutale, that 

 the murderer must be either punished or given up, in conformity to the 

 regulations adopted in their fono, composed of all the principal chiefs in 

 the island, and that if neither of these stipulations were complied with, 

 Captain Hudson would be compelled to employ the force under him in 

 burning the towns that concealed and protected the murderer, and set 

 their own laws and us at defiance. 



Three days were given him from the time of the interview, to comply 

 with the demand. He promised to do what he could, but he was 

 fearful of the result, as his people wanted to fight, and had been 

 promised aid from many quarters. 

 vol. v. c 4 



