PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
37 
extricating the boats, their attacks were not so effectual as before, nor CHAP, 
sufficient to prevent the embarkation of the crew, all of whom were o-ot 
on board. 
Several dangerous contusions were received in the affair, but 
fortunately no lives were lost on our part; and it was the opinion of 
the officer commanding the party, that the treacherous chief was the 
only victim on that of the islanders, though some of the officers thought 
they observed another man fall. Considering the manner in which the 
party were surrounded, and the imminent risk to which they were 
exposed, it IS extraordinary that so few of the natives suffered ; and the 
greatest credit is due to the officers and crews of both boats for their 
forbearance on the occasion. 
unexpected termination to our inter- 
view I detennined upon quitting the island, as nothing of importance 
was to be gained by remaining, which could be put in competition with 
e pro able loss of lives that might attend an attempt at reconcilia- 
lon. The disappointment it occasioned was great to us, who had pro- 
mised ourselves much novelty and enjoyment ; but the loss to the public 
IS trifling, as the island has been very well described by Eoggewein, 
Cook, Perouse, Kotzebue, and others, and the people appeared, in all 
imtenal points, the same now as these authors have painted them. 
1 regard to supplies, nothing was to be gained by staying; for after 
nliPP \ ^^^'^orsed the island, he came to the conclusion that few 
be r^ispr1°V convenience for shipping. “As every thing must 
nlant mu ‘b^ labour, it cannot be supposed the inhabitants 
f w -n ^1 sufficient for themselves ; and as they are 
e 1 number, they cannot have much to spare to supply the wants of 
strangers. 
1 he^ population ot Easter Island has been variously stated • 
lloggewem declares several thousands surrounded the boats- Cook 
reckoned it at six or seven hundred; Mr. Forster, who was with him 
at nine hundred; M. la Perouse, at two thousand: my officers esti’ 
k ‘“ken, 'it will 
haH, an r f r ‘’7 V T “■"* ’ *'“■ ““y ke presumed, 
in an island of such limited extent, and which does not increase 
