AN ACCOUNT OF 
1783. reft, and on the reef at the wreck, they ventured to difpute 
AUGUST. 
with the natives, and obliged them to give up what they had 
taken. 
Finding the numbers of natives who vifited them at their 
ifland increafe, and having dried their powder and repaired 
their fire-arms, our people thought their fafety required that 
they fhould appoint a regular guard every night, to be re¬ 
lieved every two hours. The fhip’s company was divided into 
five guards, each guard having an officer to give the watch¬ 
word, which was called and anfwered from the different polls 
every five minutes, there being nine men always upon 
guard.—This arrangement being to take place for the firfl 
time on the evening of this day, Captain Wilson judged it 
advifeable that his guefls fhould be apprized of his intention, 
left the turning out fuddenly with arms might awaken fe- 
rious apprehenfions in them. 
The hour of eight having been appointed for fetting 
the guard, the Captain previoufly communicated to them 
the refolution they had formed, explaining at the fame 
time that it was cuftomary for the JLnglifh to have a night- 
watch whenever they were from home; and that here it 
might be particularly ufeful, as it would prevent the in¬ 
habitants of the other iflands from coming by night to 
attack them. This being explained, Captain Wilson 
invited them, before fupper, to fee the guard turn out; 
they feemed highly delighted to obferve our men go 
■ through 
