lOS Porkr^s Voyage 



were wounded and many of the Typees killed before we dislodged 

 them. Parties were sent out in different directions to scour the 

 woods, and another fort was taken after some resistance ; but the 

 party, overpowered by numbers, were compelled to retreat 

 to the main body after keeping possession of it half an 

 hour. We were waiting in the fort first taken for the return of 

 our scouting parties— a multitude of Tayees and Happahs were 

 with us, and many were on the outskirts of the village seeking 

 for plunder. Lieutenant M' Knight had driven a party from a 

 strong wall on the high ground, and had possession of it, when a 

 >arge body of Typees, which had been lying in ambush, rushed 

 by his fire, and darted into the fort with their spears. The 

 Tayees and Happahs all ran, the Typees approached within 

 pistol shot, but on the first fire retreated precipitately, crossing 

 the fire of Mr. M'Knight's party, and although none fell, we had 

 reason to believe that many were wounded. The spears and 

 stones were flying from the bushes in every direction, and 

 although we killed and wounded in this place great numbers of 

 them, v/e were satisfied, from the opposition made, that we should 

 have to fight our whole way through the valley. 



We continued our march up the valley, and met in our way 

 several beautiful villages, which were set on fire, and at length 

 arrived at their capital, for it deserves the name of one. We had 

 been compelled to fight every inch of ground, as we advanced, 

 and here they made considerable opposition; the place was, 

 however, oon carried, and I very reluctantly set fire to it. The 

 beauty and regularity of this place was such, as to strike every 

 spectator with astonishment, and their grand site, or public square, 

 was far superior to any other we had met with. Numbers of 

 their gods were here destroyed, several large and elegant new 

 war canoes, which had never been used, were burnt in the houses 

 that sheltered themx ; many of their drums, which they had been 

 compelled to abandon, were thrown into the flames, and our 

 Indians loaded themselves with plunder, after destroying bread- 

 fruit and other trees, and all the young plants they could find. 



We at length came to the formidable fort which checked our 

 career on our first day's enterprize, and although I had witnessed 

 many instances of the great exertion and ingenuity of these 

 islanders, I never had supposed them capable of contriving and 

 erecting a work like this, so well calculated for strength and de- 

 fence. It formed the segment of a circle, and was about fifty 

 yards in extent, built of large stones, six feet thick at the bottom, 

 and gradually narrowing at the top to give it strength and dura^. 

 bility. On the left was a narrow entrance merely sufficient to 

 admit of one person's entering, and serving as a sally-port. But 

 to enter this from the outside, it was necessary to pass diyectly 



