heir conduct as to this
matter ought perhaps to be taken rather as an evidence that they had not
as yet formed any design of attacking the vessel, as they would, in that
case, scarcely have taken the trouble of stealing a small part of what
they meant immediately to seize upon altogether. On the other hand, such
an infraction of the rules of hospitality would not have accorded with
that system of insidious kindness by which it is their practice to lull
the suspicions of those whom they are on the watch to destroy.

During the night, however, the thieving was renewed, and carried to a
more alarming extent, inasmuch as it was found in the morning that some
of the natives had not only stolen the lead off the ship's stern, but
had also cut away many of the ropes, and carried them off in their
canoes. It was not till daybreak, too, that the chief returned with his
second cargo of water; and it was then observed that the ship's boat he
had taken with him leaked a great deal; on which the carpenter examined
her, and found that a great many of the nails had been drawn out of her
planks.

About the same time, Rutherford detected one of the natives in the act
of stealing the dipson lead,--"which, when I took it from him," says he,
"he grinded his teeth and shook his tomahawk at me."

"The captain," he continues, "now paid the chief for fetching the water,
giving him two muskets, and a quantity of powder and shot, arms and
ammunition being the only articles these people will trade for.

"There were at this time about three hundred of the natives on the deck,
with Aimy, the chief, in the midst of them; every man was armed with a
green stone, slung with a string around his waist. This weapon they call
a 'mery,'[G] the stone being about a foot long, flat, and of an oblong
shape, having both edges sharp, and a handle at the end. They use it for
the purpose of killing their enemies, by striking them on the head.

"Smoke was now observed rising from several of the hills; and the
natives appearing to be mustering on the beach from every part of the
bay, the captain grew much afraid, and desired us to loosen the sails,
and make haste down to get our dinners, as he intended to put to sea
immediately. As soon as we had dined, we went aloft, and I proceeded to
loosen the jib. At this time, none of the crew was on deck except the
captain and the cook, the chief mate being employed in loading some
pistols at the cabin table.

"The native