438 MASSACRE ISLANDS. [1830. 



that kind of ominous stillness which precedes an earthquake, or the 

 bursting of a volcano. They advanced in good order, and deliberately 

 took their stations in different positions around the vessel, choosing 

 such distance as best comported with their ideas of nautical warfare. 

 When they were satisfied in this respect, they saluted us with a shower 

 of arrows, which were well intended, but harmless in effect. 



I now gave the word to fire ; and for ten minutes nothing more was 

 heard but one continued roar of cannons, swivels, and musketry. 

 The astounded assailants retreated with the utmost precipitation, trepi- 

 dation, and dismay. They were scattered like chaff before the hur- 

 ricane. My officers and men were eager to follow them in our boats ; 

 but to this rash measure I would by no means consent. 



It now occurred to me, and the suggestion met the approbation of my 

 officers, that if any one of our missing friends should have happily 

 escaped the general massacre, and be still living among these canni- 

 bals, the only effectual means of recovering him would be to com- 

 mence firing upon the town. We accordingly got springs upon our 

 cable, and in a few minutes opened the Antarctic's battery upon their 

 bamboo village. The roar of the guns, and the unexpected effect 

 which our star and double-head shot produced among their light habi- 

 tations, alarmed the natives to the extent of our wishes. The eloquence 

 of cannon was too sublime for their nerves, and immediately produced 

 beneficial results. 



A small canoe, containing a painted wretch, entirely naked, was seen 

 to put off from the shore, and make directly for the Antarctic. It was 

 vigorously paddled by this individual, whose whole soul seemed ab- 

 sorbed in the effort. Expecting this to be an embassy despatched 

 from the chief with overtures of conciliation, I ordered the firing to be 

 suspended until the messenger had performed his mission. As soon as 

 he came within hailing distance, I demanded the nature of his busi- 

 ness ; but what was our astonishment and delight to hear him reply, 

 in our own language, M It is I — old Shaw, come back again '." 



The scene which followed beggars description. A suit of clothes 

 was handed him in the canoe, and he was soon on deck. His wasted, 

 emaciated form was lacerated with wounds ; his face, deprived of the 

 bushy whiskers which formerly shaded his cheeks, was bedaubed with 

 paint. In short, he was the spectre of wretchedness, with the excep- 

 tion of his eyes, which were beaming with unspeakable joy. He was 

 embraced, and re-embraced, and wept over by every soul on board 

 the Antarctic ; the most rugged tar of Manilla not excepted. He was 

 greeted as one risen from the dead. It was a scene I shall never for- 

 get ; and when I thought how urgently I had been dissuaded against 

 this enterprise by my friends at Manilla, in the fulness of my heart I 

 involuntarily exclaimed aloud, "Almighty God ! I thank thee!" The 

 rapture of that moment cancelled all my previous sufferings — I was 

 repaid a million-fold. 



As soon as order and discipline could be restored, Mr. Shaw gave 

 us a brief recital of his escape from the massacre ; his submission 

 and slavery to the savages ; and the unparalleled sufferings he had 

 endured : all which shall be laid before the reader, in his own words, 



