Sept.] SHAW'S SUFFERINGS. 447 



the news. This I apprehended would be the signal for my death, and 

 T endeavoured to convince them that the vessel in sight was not the 

 one to which I belonged ; but they were hardly to be convinced that it 

 was possible for another vessel to have discovered them in so short a 

 time. I drew two figures in the sand, one of which I represented as 

 the Antarctic bound on her course from the island, and the other as the 

 one now coming in, and of which I had no knowledge ; but my labour 

 was in vain, for they persisted in their belief, and would not be con- 

 vinced to the contrary. 



" The schooner did not come in that night, but anchored off at a dis- 

 tance. While she lay there the emotions that came and went over my 

 heart were both pleasant and painful. It was delightful, after all I 

 had undergone, to feel my hopes of release brightened up even by the 

 precarious chance of escape which the arrival of the schooner pre- 

 sented ; but the utter impossibility of carrying such a measure into ex- 

 ecution clouded over the prospect, and I settled myself down again in 

 sadness and grief. Thus I passed the night, in fitful dreams of hope 

 and despair — changing with such rapidity that it was a matter of doubt 

 to me which left the deepest impression. 



" The next morning all was bustle and preparation — canoes came 

 swarming from all the islands of the group, crowded with warriors — 

 the din of war, with its uproar and confusion, reigned around — and 

 happily, my poor self was entirely neglected and forgotten. Five or 

 six hundred warriors, in canoes, on the reef, &c, commenced a furious 

 attack upon the schooner, as if they intended to demolish her at a single 

 blow ; but the well-directed efforts of her commander soon repulsed 

 them, and they returned in disorder, and raving like lions. 



" The captain — how fortunate for me ! — commenced a regular can- 

 nonade upon the island ; which, destroying their houses and lives indis- 

 criminately, excited great consternation among them, and led to the 

 measure of sending me to sue for a parley. This having been decided 

 upon, I was brought forth, and desired by the queen to go off and stop 

 the 1 booing? as she termed the thunder of the cannon. Fearing a 

 shower of arrows would be sent after me, I hesitated and expressed 

 my fears as plainly as possible, and Henneen, my master, was sent for, 

 and desired to send me on board. He did not like to trust me out of 

 his reach, but I gave him to understand that I would go on board and 

 stop the ' booing,' and come immediately back. And in order to assist 

 his patriotism in sending me away to save his country from destruc- 

 tion, I made him believe I would on no account undertake the mission 

 unless he would consent to my returning to live with him the rest of my 

 life. This bait took admirably, and he assured me that if I returned I 

 should be for ever safe from harm, and the object of his especial care. 



"I now began to feel my consequence a little. I stood between my 

 friends and enemies, in a most conspicuous light. To my charge was 

 committed the diplomatic functions of a powerful nation, and I started 

 off to accomplish the object of my mission. Conceiving myself as yet 

 hardly secure from their treachery, after paddling fifty yards, I returned 

 and made my master repeat all his promises and professions, and then 

 embarked in good earnest, with the longest and strongest pulls I could 



