m tlie Pacific Ocean. 



85 



Valley among the bread-fruit trees, which they soon began to 

 destroy. I immediately fired guns, and made a signal for every 

 person to repair on board, apprehensive that some might be cut 

 off* by them, as the friendly natives had not seemed to notice 

 this descent. The firing of the guns soon occasioned the main 

 body to halt, and shortly afterwards the whole returned up the 

 mountains, as the friendly tribes had turned out to oppose them. 

 Assured from what I had already seen, that they were capable of 

 attempting the execution of their threat, I determined to be pre- 

 pared for them, and with this view, caused one-fourth of each 

 ship's company to be landed every evening with their arms, as a 

 guard for the camp, allowing them at the same time to stroll about 

 the valley, and amuse themselves. 



The threat of the Happahs had early induced me to reflect 

 on the course it would become me to pursue, in order, as far as 

 possible, to avoid hostilities with them, so long as a proper re- 

 gard to the objects of my stay, and the safety of my people 

 would permit. I therefore determined to let them see the effects 

 of our cannon, with a view to frighten them from committing 

 further hostilities. Gattanewa made daily applications for assist- 

 ance, and I at length told him, that, if his people would carry a 

 heavy gun, a six-pounder, up to the top of a high mountain, 

 which I pointed out to them, I would send up men to work it, 

 and drive away the Happahs, who still kept possession of the hills. 

 This was unanimously agreed to by every man belonging to the 

 valley. I landed the gun, but did not suppose them capable of 

 carrying it half way to the place fixed on 



On their first attempt to lift it with a few men, the weight 

 seemed to astonish them; they declared that it stuck to the ground; 

 they soon however raised it by additional numbers, and bore it off* 

 with apparent ease. 



As an additional security to our camp, I landed another six- 

 pounder, and mounted also a long wall-piece. The ship was soon 

 stripped of her rigging ; her provisions, stores, and ammunition, 

 put on board the prizes. The carpenters were employed in 

 caulking her seams, the coopers in setting up new water-casks, 

 (of which our prizes afforded us an abundant supply) in place of 

 the old, which were nearly all found rotten. Our men were 

 occupied in overhauling and refitting the rigging, and the duty 

 of every one allotted to him. No work was exacted from any 

 person after four o'clock in the afternoon ; the rest of the day 

 was given to repose and amusement. 



The Happahs were determined to try the eff*ects of a battle, 

 and if they should be beaten they would then be willing to make 

 peace ; but not before. I informed them that they would not find 

 me so ready to make peace after beating them, as at present ; and 



