ums, the blowing of horns, the
shrieks of women and children, and the squealing of pigs being driven
to places of safety. In the midst of the tumult the Americans retired
to the Happah village, where they spent the remainder of that day and
the following night.

The next morning dawned bright and cool after the rain; and the
Americans sallied forth, determined to end this annoying affray in
short order. They soon reached their former station on the cliffs,
and, looking down upon the Typee territory, saw a beautiful valley,
cut up by stone walls into highly cultivated farms, and dotted with
picturesque villages. But though their hearts may have been softened
by the sight of so lovely a spot, so soon to be laid desolate, they
were soon nerved to their work by a party of Typees, who were posted
on the farther bank of a river that skirted the base of the cliff, and
were calling out to the Americans, calling them cowards, and daring
them to come down and fight. Porter gave the command; and the jackies
were soon clambering down the cliffs, in the face of a rapid fire from
their enemies. The bank of the river once gained, the Americans halted
to rest for a few minutes, and then, fording the stream, pushed
forward straight for the nearest village. The Typees hung upon the
flank of the advancing column; now and then making fierce charges but
always beaten back with severe losses. The sailors suffered but
little, and were soon in possession of the village, behind the walls
of which the main body halted, while scouting parties were sent out to
reconnoitre. After a short halt at this point, the invaders pushed
forward to the next village, and so on up the valley, burning each
village as soon as it was captured. Undismayed by their continued
reverses, the Typees fought doggedly, scornfully refusing to listen to
the peaceful overtures made by the American commander. After marching
three or four miles, and fighting for every foot of the way, the
Americans found themselves before an extensive village, which, from
its size, and the strength of its fortifications, was evidently the
Typee capital. Here the savages made a last determined stand, but to
no avail. The Americans poured over the wall, and were soon in
possession of the town. The beauty of the village, the regularity of
its streets, and the air of comfort and civilization everywhere
apparent, made it hard for Porter to give the fateful order that
should commit all to the flames