POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
43 
had a large ship-dog chained to his kennel on the deck, 
and, although this animal was not only fearless 
but savage, yet the appearance of the natives seemed 
to terrify him. One of them caught the dog in his arms, 
and was proceeding over the ship’s side with him, but 
perceiving him fastened to the kennel by his chain, he 
was obliged to relinquish his prize, evidently disappoint¬ 
ed. He then seized the kennel, with the dog in it; when, 
finding it nailed to the deck, he ceased his attempts to 
remove it, and gazed round the ship, in search of some 
object which he could secure. We had brought from 
Port Jackson two young kittens | one of these now came 
up from the cabin, but she no sooner made her appear¬ 
ance on the deck, than a native, springing like a tiger 
upon its prey, caught up the unconscious animal, and 
instantly leaped over the ship’s side into the sea. Has¬ 
tening to the side of the deck, I looked over the bulwarks, 
and beheld him swimming rapidly towards a canoe lying 
about fifty yards from the ship. As soon as he had 
reached this canoe, holding the cat with both hands, and 
elevating these above his head, he exhibited her to his com¬ 
panions with evident exultation ; while, in every direction, 
the natives were seen paddling their canoes towards him, 
to gaze upon the strange creature he had brought from 
the vessel. When our captain beheld the thief thus 
exhibiting his prize, he seized his musket, and was in the 
act of levelling it at the offender, when I arrested his arm, 
and assured him I had no doubt the little animal would 
be preserved and well treated. Orders were now given 
to clear the ship. A general scuffle ensued between the 
islanders and the seamen, in which many of the former 
were driven headlong into the sea, where they seemed as 
much at home as on solid ground, while others clambered 
