May.] SAVAGE DUPLICITY. 409 



never flinch from a duty, however disagreeable. Their names were 

 George Strong and Henry Wiley ; the former of Albany, in the state 

 of New- York ; and the latter of Charlestown, state of Massachusetts, 

 being my second officer. 



Struck with horror at the perilous situation of their monarch, the 

 savages suddenly paused in the very act of notching their arrows, 

 which now dropped from the slackened bowstring, and lay at their 

 feet on the ground. The moment we perceived the happy effect of 

 this hasty measure, and while confusion reigned in the ranks of these 

 bloodthirsty villains, we walked around the circle with drawn cutlasses, 

 and compelled every one of them to lay down their bows, war-clubs, &c, 

 which were quickly collected into one heap, by my other brave lads : 

 viz. John Cowan, Joseph Hicks, George Cartwright, and Thomas 

 Bernard. This being done, his terrified majesty, whose nerves had 

 been so shocked by this hasty transaction that he could hardly stand, 

 was escorted to the beach, and given in charge to Mr. Wallace, who had 

 that moment landed from the schooner, in another boat ; while five of 

 the principal chiefs were marched to our boat, when we all put off, 

 and were soon on the bright deck of the Antarctic, where we returned 

 thanks to Heaven for our miraculous deliverance. 



As the friendship of Nero and his chiefs was all important to the 

 success of our enterprise, I adopted every means, during the remainder 

 of the day, to conciliate their favour, and flattered myself that I had 

 completely succeeded. Every thing seemed now to go on very pleas- 

 antly, both on shore among our working party, and on board among 

 our involuntary visiters. I treated them to every thing they appeared 

 to covet, whether useful, ornamental, or edible, and amused them 

 with the drum and fife, together with airs on a large French organ ; 

 all of which appeared to afford them great pleasure ; the organ in 

 particular seemed to excite a great degree of euriosity in these untu- 

 tored children of fallen human nature. 



At seven, P. M., all hands came on board, in good spirits ; and Mr. 

 Wallace informed me that one hundred and fifty of the natives had been 

 diligently employed in making thatch, ever since the king left the beach. 

 After supper, the music was got up, and our sailors gave the chiefs a 

 specimen of dancing as practised in New-York ; which compliment 

 was reciprocated by the chiefs, in some very grotesque dances of their 

 own. Peals of laughter resounded on all sides, as these islanders 

 thought our mode of " handling the feet" was full as ridiculous as 

 theirs appeared to us. In this they probably judged correctly. The 

 evening passed with great hilarity and apparent good-will, by every 

 individual on board. The chiefs laughed, shouted, and played antics. 

 Our men did the same. At ten, P. M., the regular watch being set, 

 we all retired to rest ; I having, with my own hands, made a bed for 

 the chiefs, of some old sails. 



May 28th. — The morning of Friday, the eventful 28th of May, 

 opened on these lovely islands with smiles of cloudless beauty. At 

 five, A, M., twenty-one men went on shore, under the command of Mr. 

 Wallace and Mr. Wiley, to pursue their labours on the edifice we 

 were raising. At nine, A. M., after giving the king and chiefs as good 



