36 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, prehension of hostilities was entertained. It happened, however, that 
the presents were expended, and this officer was returning to the boat 
Not. for a fresh supply, when the natives, probably mistaking his intentions, 
became exceedingly clamorous, and the confusion was further increased 
by a marine endeavouring to regain his cap, which had been snatched 
from his head. The natives took advantage of the confusion, and 
redoubled their endeavours to pilfer, which our party were at last 
obliged to repel by threats, and sometimes by force. At length they 
became so audacious that there was no longer any doubt of their 
intentions, or that a system of open plunder had commenced ; which, 
with the appearance of clubs and sticks, and the departure of the 
women, induced Mr. Peard, very judiciously, to order his party into 
the boats. This seemed to be the signal for an assault : the chief who 
had received the present threw a large stone, which struck Mr. Peard 
forcibly upon the back, and was immediately followed by a shower of 
missiles which darkened the air. The natives in the water and about 
the boats instantly withdrew to their comrades, who had run behind a 
bank out of the reach of the muskets, which former experience alone 
could have taught them to fear, for none had yet been fired by us. 
The stones, each of which weighed about a pound, fell incredibly 
thick, and with such precision that several of the seamen were knocked 
down under the thwarts of the boat, and every person was more or less 
wounded, except the female to whom Lieutenant Wainwright had given 
protection, who, as if aware of the skilfulness of her countrymen, sat 
unconcerned upon the gunwale, until one of the officers, with more 
consideration for her safety than she herself possessed, pushed her over- 
board, and she swam ashore. A blank cartridge was at first fired over 
the heads of the crowd ; but forbearance, which with savages is generally 
mistaken for cowardice or inability, only augmented their fury. The 
showers of stones were if possible increased, until the personal safety of 
all rendered it necessary to resort to severe measures. The chief, still 
urging the islanders on, very deservedly, and perhaps fortunately, fell 
a victim to the first shot that was fired in defence. Terrified by this 
example, the natives kept closer under their bulwark ; and though they 
continued to throw stones, and occasioned considerable difficulty in 
