:F0RTER*S journal. 



10 



with the natives of the valley, into which they had made 

 several incursions, destroyed many houses and plantations, 

 and killed a great number of bread-fruit trees by girdling. 

 I was also informed that they had intended paying ano- 

 ther visit that day ; but it was supposed they were deterred 

 by the appearance of the ships. I inquired if it were 

 possible to get a message to them ; and was informed that, 

 notwithstanding they were at war, and showed no quarter 

 to each other, there were certain persons of both tribes, 

 who were permitted to pass and repass freely and uninter- 

 ruptedly from one tribe to another : such, for example, as 

 a man belonging to one tribe who had married a woman 

 belonging to the other. I inquired if any such were pre- 

 sent ; and one being pointed out to me, I directed him to 

 proceed to the Happahs, and to tell them that I had come 

 with a force sufficiently strong to drive them from the 

 island : and if they presumed to enter into the valley 

 while I remained there, I should send a body of men to 

 chastise them ; to warn them to cease all hostilities so 

 long as I remained among them ; and say that if they had 

 hogs or fruit to dispose of, they might come and trade 

 freely with us, as I should not permit the natives of the 

 valley to injure or molest them. To the natives of the 

 valley (who listened attentively, and with apparent plea- 

 sure, to the message sent to the Happahs) I then addressed 

 myself, and assured them that I had come with the most 

 friendly disposition ; that I wanted nothing from them but 

 what I paid for : that they must look on us as brethren : 

 and that I should protect them against the Happahs, should 

 they again venture to descend from the mountains. I 

 directed them to leave at home their spears, slings, and 

 clubs, (their only weapons of war) in order that we might 

 know them from the Happahs. I also told them that I 

 should consider all as my enemies who should appear 

 armed in my presence : assuring them at the same time, 

 that there would be no necessity for their using those 

 weapons, as I had not only the will and power to give 

 them the most ample protection, but to chastise severely 

 their enemies, unless they were governed by the advice 

 I had given them. All listened with much attention : 

 their spears and clubs were thrown on one side. While I 

 was using measures to get together my officers and men. 



