stance to the Americans, during the long stay upon which
Capt. Porter had determined.

CHAPTER XI.

WAR WITH THE SAVAGES. -- THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TYPEES. --
DEPARTURE FROM NOOKAHEEVAH. -- THE "ESSEX" ANCHORS AT
VALPARAISO -- ARRIVAL OF THE "PHOEBE" AND "CHERUB." --
THEY CAPTURE THE "ESSEX." -- PORTER'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE
"SATURN." -- THE MUTINY AT NOOKAHEEVAH.

It was now the last of October, 1813. Capt. Porter saw that the work
he desired done upon the ships under his charge would occupy about six
weeks, and he at once set about forming such relations of peace and
amity with the natives as should enable him to procure the necessary
supplies and prosecute his work unmolested. Much to his dismay, he had
hardly begun his diplomatic palaver with the chiefs, when he learned
that to keep one tribe friendly he must fight its battles against all
other tribes on the island. The natives of Nookaheevah were then
divided into a large number of tribal organizations. With three of
these the Americans were brought into contact,--the Happahs, the
Taeehs, and the Typees. The Taeehs lived in the fertile valley about
the bay in which the American squadron was anchored. With these people
Porter treated first, and made his appearance in their village in
great state, being accompanied by the band, the marines, and several
boats' crews of jackies. He was hospitably received by the natives,
who crowded about to listen to the band, and wonder at the military
precision of the marines, whom they regarded as supernatural beings.
Gattanewa, the chief, expressed his abounding love for the captain,
and exchanged names with him, after the custom of the people; but
ended by saying that the lawless Happahs were at war with the Taeehs,
and the Americans, to gain the friendship of the latter tribe, must
make common cause with them against their enemies. To this Porter
demurred, but the wily chief thereupon brought forward a most
conclusive argument. He said that the Happahs had cursed his mother's
bones; and that, as he and Porter had exchanged names, that estimable
woman was the captain's mother also, and the insult to her memory
should be avenged. It is probable that even this argument might have
proved unavailing, had not the Happahs the next night descended upon
the valley, and, having burned two hundred bread-fruit trees,
departed, leaving word that the Americans were cowards, and dared not
follow them into t