99 
began to brighten. Early in the morn*! 
ing of that day, I was awakened by a 
hooting and yelling of the natives, who 
said, a vessel had anchored at the 
head of the Island. They seemed alar¬ 
med, and I need not assure the reader? 
that my feelings were of a contrary na¬ 
ture Their God was immediately con¬ 
sulted, as to the measures to pursue ; 
but as I was not allowed to be present 
when he was invoked, I cannot say what 
was the form of this ceremony, except 
that cocoamit leaves were used. Their 
God, however, approved the plan, which 
was, that they should go to the vessel, 
or near her, and swim on board, a few 
at a time, until two hundred were on 
board, and then a signal was to be giv¬ 
en, when they were to throw the per* 
sons on board into the water, and kill 
them. Two large canoes which would 
carry fifty men each, were put in read¬ 
iness, but at first they refused to let me 
accompany them, fearing that I would 
inform of their having killed our men, 
and they would be punished. I assur 
