PORTER S JOURNAL* 



when he reflected, that no longer than the night previous, 

 they had robbed the traders of all their muskets, and other- 

 wise evinced an uncommon degree of hostility. To add to 

 the miseries of his situation, heut. Gamble, now that he 

 needed them most, had the mortification to find that the 

 mutineers had stolen his trumpet and spy-glass, as well 

 as several very valuable charts. 



The anxieties of heut. Gamble, in regard to the fate of 

 his friends who had just gone ashore, proved, in the endj 

 to be too well founded. Midshipman Clapp, who had re- 

 mained upon deck since the departure of the boat, came 

 into the cabin about half past twelve, and announced that 

 the boat was then in the surf, surrounded by a number of 

 the natives. Lieut. Gamble went immediately upon deck, 

 and taking with him a keg of cartridges, a lighted match, 

 and other necessary implements, proceeded, in a leaky 

 boat, with midshipman Clapp, Sansbury, and Bispham, to 

 the other ship ; leaving only Pittenger, the cripple, be- 

 hind.* They had not yet reached the Sir Andrew Ham- 

 mond, when the natives were discovered in possession of 

 the boat, and, a few moments after, running in all direc- 

 tions, with the property of the traders, as well as the swine 

 and other efTects, belonging to the encampment. Ga 

 reaching the ship, several of her guns were immediately 

 loaded, and fired at the enemy, within the encampment^ 

 and on the beach ; but just as the second round was about 

 to be discharged, two white men were seen throwing up 

 their arms in token of distress ; and immediately after, 

 swimming, with all possible exertion, towards the ship. 

 Seeing the urgency of the occasion, midshipman Clapp^ 

 with Sansbury and Bispham, instantly sprang into the boat, 

 then half filled with water, and with their utmost efforts^, 

 rowed towards the unfortunate men. 



Lieut. Gamble now remained alone on board the ship, 

 enduring the severest pain from his wound, and labouring 

 under a violent fever — while two boats, crowded with 

 savages, were approaching him, and a great number be- 

 sides, were endeavouring to launch a war canoe for the 

 same purpose. Aware, however, that a few shots from th^ 

 cannon could alone repel them, and prevent their massa- 



* It is here necessary to mention, that the mutineers did not spike any 

 of the guns of the Sir Andrew Hammond, except those which were loaded. 



