porter's journal. 



101 



also enabled to shelter ourselves behind others, and being 

 short of ammunition, I would not permit any person to fire. — ■ 

 After resting a few minutes, I directed the scouting parties 

 to gain the opposite bank of the river, and followed with 

 the main body. We were greatly annoyed with stones, 

 and before all had crossed, the fortified village was taken 

 without any loss on our side. Their chief warrior and 

 another were killed, and several wounded. They retreat- 

 ed only to stone walls situated on higher grounds, where 

 they continued to sling their stones and throw their spears. 

 Three of my men were wounded, and m.any 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, over- 

 powered 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 pos- 

 session of it, when a large 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, 

 we were satisfied, from the opposition made, that we should 

 have to fight our whole way through the valley. It be- 

 came now necessary to guard against a useless consumption 

 of ammunition, the scouting parties had returned, and some 

 had expended all their cartridges. 1 exhorted them to be 

 more careful of them, and after having given them afresh 

 supply, forbid any firing from the main body, unless we 

 should be attacked by great numbers. 1 now left a party 

 in this place, posted in a house, with the wounded, and 

 another party in ambush behind a wall, and directed Mou- 

 ina to lead us to the next village. Before marching, 1 sent 

 a messenger to inform the Typees that we should cease 



