J'ORTEIi-S JOURNAL. 



they believed we were cowards ; and they should soon visit 

 our camp, and carry off our sails. Assured from what I 

 had already seen, that they were capable of attempting 

 the execution of their threat, 1 determined to be prepared 

 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* 



1 had caused a tent to be erected on shore for myself^ 

 as believing my presence necessary there to preserve order, 

 and that my health required that 1 should remain some 

 time on shore, after being so long confined to the ship. 



The threat of the Happahs had early induced me to re- 

 flect 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 regard 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 assistance, 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 

 him, 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 val- 

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

 of carrying it half way to the place fixed on. I supposed, 

 however, that it would terrify the Happahs ; and if it Avas 

 attended with no other advantage, it would occupy the na- 

 tives for a week or fortnight, and keep them from our 

 camp, as the nuiibers who resorted there had already given 

 us some embarrassment, and I apprehended would cause 

 us more. 



On the gun being landed, I ordered a few shot to be 

 fired, to convince them of the distance the shot would have 

 effect. First, a shot was fired with the gun, considerably 

 elevated ; they seemed much surprised at the length of 

 time the shot remained in the air, and many had given 

 up all expectations of seeing it descend, and a general 

 shout of admiration marked the time of its fall in the 

 water. I then directed the gun to be fired, that the ball 

 might skip along the surface of the water. At every bound 



