ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 59 



about eighty officers and men. About nine o'clock they approached 

 the town. The first object that attracted attention was a column of 

 smoke arising from the small building that stood on piles in front of 

 the town before spoken of. On arriving near the beach, the three 

 divisions formed in a line abreast, according to the directions. Lieu- 

 tenant Walker, with Mr. Hale, (who acted as interpreter,) now showed 

 the white flag, and pulled in toward the beach in front, in order to hold 

 a parley, make further inquiries relative to Anderson, and endeavour 

 to have him given up, if alive. There were about five hundred natives, 

 well armed, on the beach, and others were constantly coming in 

 from all sides : they shouted and shook their weapons with threatening 

 gestures. Many of them, however, seemed undecided how to act; 

 and their whole appearance, though formidable enough, was yet quite 

 ludicrous in the eyes of the men, equipped as the savages were in their 

 cumbrous coats of mail and fish-skin helmets. 



As the boat approached, several of the natives advanced towards it, 

 preceded by a chief fully equipped in armour, and holding a spear in 

 his right hand. Mr. Hale then explained the object they had in view, 

 and showed the large quantity of tobacco which they had brought for 

 a ransom. The chief appeared to understand, and pointed to the shore, 

 making signs at the same time for them to come in. The savages 

 who attended the chief had now increased in numbers, and were close 

 to the boat, while the whole body was advancing slowly forwards. 

 Finding that it was not only useless but dangerous to continue the 

 parley, the boat was pulled back into line. 



Having thus failed to procure the desired end, the most humane 

 manner of effecting their punishment was conceived to be at once to 

 show them the power of our arms, and sacrifice some of the most 

 prominent among the savages. Lieutenant Walker, therefore, re- 

 quested Mr. Peale, the best shot of the party, to give them a proof of 

 it, and thus prevent the farther effusion of blood. This was accord- 

 ingly done by singling out one of the foremost, and a rocket was also 

 discharged, which took its flight towards the great body of them. 

 The latter missile caused great confusion, and many of them turned 

 to seek the shore, but their terror did not last long, and they made 

 another stand, brandishing their spears and weapons as if bent upon a 

 trial of strength with their opponents ; the falling of their chiefs was 

 disregarded, and few seemed to consider the effects produced, except 

 those who were wounded. A general volley soon followed, which 

 caused them all to retreat, some in great haste, while others moved 

 more slowly towards the shore, seeming to be but little impressed 



