428 APPENDIX. 
minutes after, a small canoe came alongside, and after an exchange of 
some words with the hostage, he displayed a little anxiety to return 
with them to the shore. As they pushed off, he attempted to leave the 
boat, when I took him by the arm and directed him to sit down, giving 
him to understand, as well as possible, that he must keep quiet till the 
return of our party. Shortly after, Lieutenant Emmons rejoined me, 
and made his boat fast to mine. 
In about half an hour Jerome Davis came off to say, that with 
another hatchet Lieutenant Underwood could purchase all required. I 
directed Davis to take it to him, and say to Mr. Underwood, that I 
desired to see him without delay; to come off with what he could get 
as soon as possible. In the mean time, the water having risen, | 
ordered the Leopard to drop in as near the landing as possible. She 
had been gone about ten minutes, when the hostage jumped overboard 
and made for the beach, which was the first intimation I received of 
any thing going wrong on the shore. I immediately seized my rifle 
and directed it at him, when he slackened his pace. I then ordered 
two men to follow and secure him; he thereupon resumed his course, 
when I determined to shoot him, but stayed my hand lest his death 
should bring destruction to our absent people. As I turned to direct 
my boat to be got under way, I noticed Midshipman Clark in the act 
of firing, and ordered him to fire over his head, at the same time 
directed Lieutenant Emmons to pull after and take him if possible, 
dead or alive. The report of fire-arms then reached us from the 
beach, to which ensued a general mélée, the natives having suddenly 
increased to about fifty. By this time my boat was flying before a 
fresh breeze to the stage of conflict, and I called to Lieutenant 
Emmons to follow me. In a few moments we passed the Leopard 
shoving out, when I was informed of the death of Lieutenant Under- 
wood. The boats had not yet grounded, but we immediately jumped 
overboard, and with all speed hastened to the beach, opening a fire 
upon the natives as soon as they were within range, when they imme- 
diately dispersed, carrying off their dead and wounded. Before we 
got upon the beach, we found J. G. Clark (seamen), badly wounded, 
and delirious ; I directed some one to take him to the boat, and con- 
tinued my course. When I reached the beach nothing living was to 
be seen. About ten paces from the water I found Lieutenant Under- 
wood lying upon his back, partially stripped of his clothing. I raised 
his head upon my arm, and hope was for a moment flattered on per- 
ceiving some signs of life; but, alas! he breathed twice only. Turning 
aside from the melancholy spectacle, my eye fell on Midshipman Henry, 
who lay very much in the same situation in which I had found Lieu- 
