ll not attempt to describe. Suffice it to say, that
none can form a true estimate of our feelings, except it be those who
have been suddenly and unexpectedly rescued from pain and peril, and
threatening death. In the afternoon the Captain wished me to go on
shore with him, as an interpreter. We accordingly went, and passed
over to the village on the other side of the Island, where we had an
interview with a woman of distinction, (the men having fled, being
principally absent with the chiefs at Alloo.) The captain informed her
he wished to see the chiefs, and requested her to send for them that
night, that he might visit them in the morning, and make them some
presents. We then returned to the vessel; and the following day, Dec.
1st, went on shore for the purpose of seeing the chiefs, but could not
obtain an interview with them. The captain informed the natives that
he must see the chiefs, and that he would wait another day, but if
disappointed then, he should be compelled to use coercive means. They
immediately sent another messenger after them, and we returned on
board, accompanied by several of the natives, among whom was Ludjuan.
The captain made him several presents, and informed him they were
given as a compensation for saving my life. Shortly after, the natives
went on shore.

The next morning, Dec. 2d, the captain sent me on shore, to ascertain
whether the chiefs had returned, and I was informed by the natives
that they had, and were then at a house half a mile distant. This
intelligence having been communicated to the captain, he went on
shore, and took myself and Hussey for interpreters; but we found on
our arrival, that the natives had been practising a piece of
deception--the chiefs not having returned. Very much displeased at
this perfidious treatment, the captain made a demand of the chiefs
before sunset, threatening, if it were not complied with, to go on
shore with fifty men, well armed, and destroy every person he could
find. This threat threw the natives into consternation, and
immediately another messenger was despatched for the chiefs. The
natives were so alarmed, that they soon sent off three or four more
messengers; and we returned on board to dine. After dinner, I went on
shore with Mr. Paulding, the first Lieutenant, and some of the under
officers, for the purpose of shooting birds. After rambling round the
Island for some time, we discovered a number of natives quickly
approaching us from the lo