434 SAIL FROM BERGH'S GROUP. [1830. 



of their natural productions and capabilities, through the interpreters 

 before alluded to, who were natives of Yap, an island which is situated 

 about sixty leagues north-east of the Pelew Islands, the natives of 

 which speak a language almost exactly like that spoken by the inhab- 

 itants of Bergh's Group. These men had acquired the Spanish lan- 

 guage at Manilla, through which medium my information was ob- 

 tained. 



August 31 st. — I am fully convinced that the natives of these islands 

 are more mild, gentle, peaceable, and honourably disposed, than any 

 other savage tribes I have ever met with ; but they are still savages, 

 and from some suspicious circumstances which occurred on Tuesday 

 the 31st of August, I adopted the conclusion that it would not be pru- 

 dent to trust them too far, well knowing, from long experience, that 

 caution is the parent of security. On the day just mentioned, the 

 Antarctic was surrounded by more than four hundred canoes, in many 

 of which we saw, for the first time, a large supply of war implements. 

 As we had never taken notice of any thing of this kind before, we began 

 to entertain some unpleasant suspicions of intended treachery and im- 

 pending hostilities ; although, when questioned on the subject, by our 

 natives of Yap, they solemnly denied having any inimical intentions, 

 alleging that they had merely armed in consequence of some appre- 

 hended dispute with the negroes. 



This explanation was not satisfactory, and as I felt a great reluctance 

 to come to an open rupture with a people to whom I had become so 

 strongly attached, I determined to shorten my visit, and leave them 

 in the course of the day. In the mean time I adopted every necessary 

 precaution for the defence of the vessel. A double sentry was placed 

 in the gangways, on both quarters, and on both bows, with four loaded 

 muskets by each man. Men with lighted matches in their hands were 

 stationed by the brass swivels which were mounted on the rail, and 

 loaded with canisters of musket-balls. They stood with the monkey- 

 tails in their hands, the aprons off, with instructions not to touch a 

 single match to the priming without distinct orders from me, which 

 would not be given unless the natives commenced an attack. What- 

 ever might have been their original secret intentions, they were evi- 

 dently forcibly struck with the unusual stir and bustle on board the 

 Antarctic ; where the drums were beating, the colours flying, the fifes 

 playing, and the bugles sounding, " with fearful note of dreadful prepa- 

 ration." While our deck was thus enlivened, our gallant tars were 

 all life and activity, paying the most prompt attention to the various 

 duties assigned them. In a few minutes the anchor was at the bow ; 

 and in the next moment, to the astonishment of the gazing natives, the 

 Antarctic's white wings were all expanded at once, even to steering- 

 sails and stay-sails, courteously wooing the breeze, which was wafting 

 her along at the rate of eight miles an hour. 



At the moment that orders were given to let fall the sails (the yards 

 and gaffs being at the mast-heads), to sheet home the topsails, and 

 gather aft the sheets of the fore-and-aft sails, the music struck up 

 Yankee Doodle ; and in less than two minutes from the time the anchor 

 came to the bows (all the canvass being still furled), all sail was set, 



