368 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
on the deck, than a native, springing like a tiger 
apon its prey, caught up the unconscious animal, 
and instantly leaped over the ship’s side into the 
sea. Hastening 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 the 
canoe, holding the cat with both hands, and ele¬ 
vating these above his head, he exhibited her to 
his companions 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 over the vessel’s side into their canoes. 
In the midst of the confusion, and the retreat of 
the natives, the dog, which had hitherto slunk 
into his kennel, recovered his usual boldness, 
and not only increased the consternation by his 
barking, but severely tore the leg of one of the 
fugitives who was hastening out of the ship, near 
the spot to which he was chained. The decks 
were now cleared; but as many of the people still 
hung upon the shrouds, and about the chains, the 
sailors drew the long knives with which, when 
among the islands, they were furnished, and by 
menacing gestures, without wounding any, sue- 
