58 ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 



island, and were unacquainted with the accident that had happened ; 

 but on being informed of it, they made every endeavour to explain 

 that they did not belong to the guilty town. There are fourteen towns 

 on the island, as follows, beginning at the north, viz. : 



TOWNS. CHIEFS. 



Muribama or Tenaiay, .... ... Tipera. 



Te-niaroku, Pcia. 



Terikiai, Tarentoa. 



Eta, .......... Toarirnaroa. 



Utiroa, Tama and Moleia. 



Tauma, Tebakoa. 



Kabura, Tepikau. 



Apamarikoro, Payau. 



Parepatu, Tentaki. 



Tewai, Aiiri. 



Tauyaia, Tauraura. 



Puari, Tapare. 



Nukutoru, .......... Pautua. 



Taku, Putiutoa. 



Basing the calculation for the population of these towns on that of 

 Utiroa, which is estimated at from one thousand to one thousand two 

 hundred, it would give this small strip of land as great, if not a greater 

 number of inhabitants per square mile, than any portion of the globe 

 that relies upon its own resources for subsistence. 



The four northern towns are apparently united together, and hostile 

 to the southern ones. Between Eta and Utiroa there is a considerable 

 space uninhabited, which appears to form a line of separation between 

 their territories. 



Captain Hudson made up his mind that there could be little doubt, 

 after so much time had elapsed without intelligence, and taking into 

 view the conduct of the Utiroans, that Anderson had been treache- 

 rously murdered. He therefore believed it to be a paramount duty to 

 punish them, not only for this perfidious act, but to secure their good 

 conduct hereafter, in case of other vessels touching at this island. 



In consequence of this determination, the boats were prepared for 

 landing, and Mr. Knox was ordered to anchor the tender in a position 

 near the shore opposite the town, in order to protect them. 



The boat expedition, consisting of Lieutenants Emmons, Perry, and 

 De Haven, Passed Midshipmen Davis and Harrison, and Mr. Free- 

 man, the sailmaker, was put under charge of Mr. Walker, the first- 

 lieutenant of the ship, and particular instructions given to him relative 

 to his conduct. These will be found in Appendix III. Messrs. Peale, 

 Hale, and Agate, accompanied the expedition. 



The expedition consisted of seven boats ; in them were embarked 



