240 TYE AND SUALIB. 
charged with, and he had seen nothing of the shoal he had before 
reported to me. On the same day I despatched Lieutenant Case and 
Passed Midshipman Blunt, in the second cutter of the Peacock, 
around the north side of the island of Vanua-levu, for the purpose 
of falling in with the schooner Kai-viti, Passed Midshipman Harrison, 
and with directions to proceed with her to Somu-somu, and there 
purchase a cargo of yams. Lieutenant Case had also orders, on over- 
taking Lieutenant Walker, to relieve him, and to continue the survey 
with which that officer was charged, as far as Somu-somu, after which 
he was directed to return by the south side of the island of Vanua- 
levu, surveying and examining the harbours as he went along. 
The Rev. Mr. Hunt took advantage of this opportunity to return to 
his home. Notwithstanding it was raining and blowing a gale, I could 
not delay this service any longer, particularly as I believed that the 
gale would moderate before the cutter would reach the other party, — 
and that, as they would pass under the lee of the shore, they would not 
be very much exposed to it. Necessity alone, however, would have 
induced me to despatch a party in such weather. 
For a few days, at this time, every one was employed, who could 
work, in repairing the boats, preparatory to the further examinations 
which I contemplated making on the hourly-expected arrival of the 
Porpoise. 
On the afternoon of the 12th, Lieutenant Perry arrived in the launch, 
bringing with him Mr. Knox and the crew of the first cutter. That 
boat had been captured by the natives, at Sualib Bay, about twenty- 
five miles to windward, on the same island. In this bay the launch 
and first cutter had taken refuge during the bad weather, although it 
offers indifferent accommodation. After being there two or three days, 
they attempted to beat out, when the cutter, in trying to go about, near 
the reef, missed stays and was thrown on it. At the time this occurred, 
it was low water. The natives, who, it was supposed by the party, 
had anticipated the accident, had followed along the reef, and, as soon 
as it happened, crowded down, all well armed with clubs, spears, 
stones, &c. Mr. Knox, finding it impossible to get the boat off, thought 
of looking into his means of defence, and found himself completely in 
the power of the natives, for all his arms and ammunition were soaked 
with salt water. Lieutenant Perry, finding that the launch could not 
make headway against the wind and sea, had anchored at long gun- 
shot from the spot where the cutter had gone on shore. As soon ashe 
saw what was going forward, he opened a fire on the natives, but 
without effect; for they, notwithstanding, collected around Mr. Knox’s 
party, and gave them to understand that they must abandon the boat 
