56 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
indulged a hope that his affairs might be re¬ 
trieved. 
The rebels were now masters of the greater part 
of the island ; and, as the Missionaries had every 
reason to believe they would attempt the conquest 
of the remainder, and knew that their establishment 
was the only point where they were likely to meet 
with the slightest resistance, they neglected no 
means of defence. The Mission-house was con¬ 
verted into a garrison. The enclosures of the 
garden were destroyed, the bread-fruit and cocoa- 
nut trees cut down, to prevent their affording 
shelter to the enemy, and the means of annoyance 
from their muskets or their slings. Their chapel 
was also pulled down, lest the enemy should 
occupy it or burn it, and from it set fire to their 
own dwelling. A strong paling, or stockade, was 
planted round the house; boards, covered with 
nails, were sunk in the paths leading to it; and 
thither the Missionaries, Captain Bishop, Captain 
House, commander of the vessel that had been 
wrecked, and the seamen under their orders, now 
retired, as they daily received the most alarming 
accounts of the intention of the rebels to make 
their next attack upon them. The veranda in 
front of their dwelling was protected by chests, 
bedding, and other articles, so as to afford a secure 
defence from musket-balls; and the sides of the 
house, which were only boarded, were fortified 
with similar materials. Four brass cannon, which 
had been saved from the wreck of the Norfolk* 
were fixed in two of the upper rooms, and the in¬ 
mates of the dwelling were placed under arms, as 
far as the number of muskets would admit. The 
Missionaries, as well as the seamen, stood sentinels 
in turn, night and day, in order to prevent surprise. 
