o the assistance of Captain Cook,
withdrew his boat farther off, at the moment that every thing seems to
have depended upon the timely exertions of those in the boats. By
his own account, he mistook the signal; but be that as it may, this
circumstance appears to me to have decided the fatal turn of the
affair, and to have removed every chance which remained with Captain
Cook, of escaping with his life. The business of saving the marines
out of the water, in consequence of that, fell altogether upon the
pinnace; which thereby became so much crowded, that the crew were, in
a great measure, prevented from using their fire-arms, or giving what
assistance they otherwise might have done, to Captain Cook; so that
he seems, at the most critical point of time, to have wanted the
assistance of both boats, owing to the removal of the launch. For,
notwithstanding that they kept up a fire on the crowd, from the
situation to which they removed in that boat, the fatal confusion
which ensued on her being withdrawn, to say the least of it, must have
prevented the full effect, that the prompt co-operation of the two
boats, according to Captain Cook's orders, must have had, towards the
preservation of himself and his people.[4] At that time, it was to the
boats alone, that Captain Cook had to look for his safety; for, when
the marines had fired, the Indians rushed among them, and forced them
into the water, where four of them were killed; their lieutenant was
wounded, but fortunately escaped, and was taken up by the pinnace.
Captain Cook was then the only one remaining on the rock; he was
observed making for the pinnace, holding his left hand against the
back of his head, to guard it from the stones, and carrying his
musquet under the other arm. An Indian was seen following him,
but with caution and timidity; for he stopped once or twice, as if
undetermined to proceed. At last he advanced upon him unawares, and
with a large club,[5] or common stake, gave him a blow on the back of
the head, and then precipitately retreated. The stroke seemed to have
stunned Captain Cook; he staggered a few paces, then fell on his hand
and one knee, and dropped his musquet. As he was rising, and before he
could recover his feet, another Indian stabbed him in the back of the
neck with an iron dagger. He then fell into a bite of water about
knee deep, where others crowded upon him, and endeavoured to keep him
under: but struggling very strongly with them, he g