FOKTER'S JOURNAL. 



191 



two other ships in performing various duties on board. 

 Out of the whole number, only eighteen were fit for duty: 

 and as, at the frigate's departure, they had chosen to have 

 their full allowance of liquor continued, in preference to a 

 more economical consum[)tion, they had this day the sad 

 satisfaction of drinking the last can of grog. Gatlanewa, the 

 deluded chief, still coiUinued extremely ill in imagination, 

 and would not be persuaded that the Happah tribe had any 

 other intention towards him, than that of taking his life. 1 

 may as well mention here, however, that it was not many 

 days before he recovered, wvithout any aid, either from the 

 stolen lock, or plantain leaf. 



A flag-staff having been erected, the day previous, in 

 Madison's fort, on the 30th the American ensign was 

 hoisted on it for the first time since my departure, under a 

 salute of five guns. At the close of the day, some peas and 

 beans were planted in the new garden, and an army of ants 

 discovered in full attack upon the water-melon vines of the 

 old. 



The supply of swine and vegetables now became preca- 

 rious, and neither could be obtained at Nooaheevah without 

 fighting, or paying large whales' teeth for them. Being 

 weak-handed, and without large whales' teeth, lieut. Gam- 

 ble determined on paying a visit to the windward islands, 

 and accordingly, all hands were employed, on the 2d of 

 February, in preparing the Sir Andrew Hammond for sea. 

 He was the more induced to take this step, as the natives 

 of these islands were always willing to barter swine and 

 vegetables for bits of old iron, of which he had an abun- 

 dance. And in order to ensure the safety of the property 

 left behind, against the pillage of the natives, it was deemed 

 prudent to take with him a few of the chiefs, as hostages 

 for the good conduct of their people, and all the traders, 

 besides eight of his own men. In overhauling the rigging 

 of the ship, it was found to be nearly all unfit for service ; 

 the British crew having cut it in pieces on the eve of their 

 capture ; in order, as they thought, to render her totally 

 unmanageable. On the 7th, however, at an early hour in 

 the morning, the ship was unmoored ; and, having received 

 on board seven of the principal men of the valley, she 

 stood out of the Bay. On the 10th, at 9 A. M. lieut Gam- 

 ble hove to, off the island of Dominica, and having sent a 



