d carry fifty men each, were put in readiness, but at first
they refused to let me accompany them, fearing that I would inform of
their having killed our men, and they would be punished. I assured
them that the vessel, having but two masts, did not belong to my
nation, and I was certain I could not speak their language.

They at length consented for me to go. We arrived within a few miles
of the vessel at night, and early the following morning, were joined
by a number of canoes, which made in all two hundred men. It being
squally in the forenoon, we remained where we were, but when it
cleared up, the yells of the Indians announced the approach of the
vessel. I had only time to see that it was really an armed schooner,
when I was secreted with their women, about forty in number, in a hut
near the shore, and the women had orders to watch me close, that I did
not get away.

A boat at this time from the schooner, was seen approaching the shore.
She landed at about a hundred yards distant from where I was confined;
but it being near night, I soon found she was making the best of her
way towards the schooner. Night came, and I was sent for by the
principal chief, and questioned closely concerning the schooner. My
fears and apprehensions were now excited to a degree beyond human
expression, and the kind reader will pardon all attempts to express
them.

The natives seeing the whites so bold, excited in them a fear which
induced them to flee the Island. Accordingly, about midnight, the
canoes were launched, and I was carried to a remote part of the
Island, a distance of about 40 miles, where I remained until my
fortunate escape.

29th. Early in the morning, we discovered a boat under sail, standing
directly for the place where we were; the natives were considerably
agitated with fear, and engaged in planning some method by which to
overcome the people in the boat, if they should come where we were;
and, as I expected, the natives would hide me, as they had heretofore
done, I thought it best to offer my services to assist them--I said I
would aid them in fighting the boat's crew--and that, as I could talk
with them, I would go to them, in advance of the natives, deceive the
crew, and prevail on them to come on shore and sit down, and for us to
appear friendly till in possession of their arms, then rise upon the
crew and kill them without difficulty or hazard. Some of the natives
suspected that I should revolt to the other pa