ELLICE'S AND KINGS MILL GROUP. 57 



that he had either been enticed away by the women, or that the 

 natives had detained him, in the hopes of receiving a ransom for his 

 release, and that he would either return in one of the canoes to the 

 ship, or be given up on a reward being offered. Under these impres- 

 sions, he ordered the boats to return to the ship. Many of the officers 

 were of the opinion that he had been murdered; yet it was scarcely 

 to be believed that they should have been enabled to overcome with- 

 out noise a well-armed man, and one who had been cautioned against 

 their treachery. After they had pushed off some distance, it was 

 thought that a white man was seen on the beach ; but on returning, it 

 proved that they were mistaken. 



On the morning of the 8th, it became evident that something had 

 taken place, for not a canoe came alongside before breakfast, which 

 induced a general belief that Anderson had met with an untimely 

 end at the hands of the natives. The people of the adjoining town 

 of Eta, however, so far as they could be understood from their ges- 

 tures and language, seemed to intimate that the man was on shore 

 alive. Not a canoe, however, was recognised as belonging to ihe 

 town of Utiroa. A message was (notwithstanding the two towns 

 were at war) sent on shore, in hopes it would induce these savages 

 to restore Anderson, telling them that if the man was given back, a 

 large present of tobacco would be paid for him. This was shown 

 them, and every endeavour was made to ascertain his fate. On look- 

 ing around among the natives, attention was called to one who was 

 believed to belong to Utiroa. The eagerness with which this man was 

 regarded by all, caused him so much alarm, that he at once sought 

 flight in his canoe ; but he could not get his sail arranged, and was 

 soon overtaken by one of the ship's boats. The countenance of the 

 native, on being overtaken, w r as one of great fear. On finding he 

 could not escape, it immediately changed to one the most amiable and 

 friendly. He began by saying that the boat was good, the ship was 

 good and large, and all that was in her was good. Mr. Hale ex- 

 plained to him what was required of him. It was difficult to ascertain 

 that he understood these things at the time, for the native was inclined 

 to assent to every thing; but Mr. Hale has since had reason to be 

 satisfied from the words he used that the object in view, of obtaining 

 Anderson, was well understood. 



The whole of the day was occupied in surveying, and connecting 

 the work with that of the tender, which vessel, with the boats, had 

 returned in the morning. The surveying boats, while engaged, were 

 satisfied that the natives were disposed to be hostile. 



Their visiters during the day were all from the other parts of the 



vol. v. 8 



