our situation, and we saw them coming to our
assistance, though the numbers of natives at
this time assembled totally precluded all
chance of our getting off by force ; and a
variety of schemes were suggested as to how
we should save the man’s life, and get clear of
this difficulty, without sacrificing the good
opinion we were held in by the natives.
We were well aware of the great importance
it was to George to continue on friendly
terms with the English vessels touching here,
as they not only afforded him various sources
of considerable profit, but the intercourse gave
him great importance in the eyes of his countrymen
; and we determined to make this circumstance
a means of saving the man’s life,
as we suspected that a threat of removing the
seat of trade would soon make him compromise
his revenge for his interest.
We therefore sent him a formal message,
that, if he was resolved to kill his enemy in
our house, we had determined not to prevent
him, but that we would not stay to witness
such a cruelty; and that we should immediately
remove every thing we possessed on
board ship, leave the Bay of Islands, and seek
the protection and shelter of some other chief;
and, if he compelled us to do so, no other
British ship would ever be seen at Ko-ro-ra-
di-ka.
We accordingly ordered the ship’s boats
ashore, and our things were quickly conveyed
into them. I trembled when I looked on the
natives, and saw the rage depicted on their
countenances; and T, trusting in Providence
to avert from me the dreadful death with
which I saw myself threatened, prepared myself
for some fatal catastrophe. Tumultuous
discussions ensued, and it at length became
difficult for the elders to restrain the impetuosity
of the younger chiefs. Fortunately for
us their vehement speeches soon produced a
violent feud amongst themselves. Mutual up-
braidings took place: each accused the other
of being the cause of quarrel, and the consequent
loss of the white men. This was precisely
the state of things we wished for ;, and,
while we were waiting the return of the last
boat, a messenger came from the elder chiefs,
to propose an amicable adjustment of the af