also several
other islands, till we came off Strong's Island. Here is a magnificent
harbour, surrounded by coral reefs, but the mouth is so narrow that we
could not have attempted to enter had not the boats of three vessels
lying there come out to assist in towing us in. On bringing up, a
number of natives came off, who talked capital English, and seemed very
intelligent fellows. We found that the chief of the island was named
King George.

In a short time another canoe came off with a fine-looking fellow on
board, who seemed as eager to trade and obtain anything he could as the
rest of the natives.

At last Captain Hawkins, turning to him, said, rather roughly, "You and
the other chaps must be off now."

"You know who I am?" asked the native. "I King George, chief of all
these islands."

"I beg your majesty's pardon, but you don't look much like a king," said
the captain, laughing.

The chief, however, didn't appear to be angry, and shook hands with the
captain and officers, and stepping into the canoe paddled away for the
shore.

"We must take care these fellows don't play us any trick," observed the
captain to Mr Griffiths. "We'll give them a salute to show them that
we're wide-awake."

We carried four nine-pounders, which we forthwith fired. It was the
first time we had to use them during the voyage. It was hoped that this
would awe the natives, and that we should not be molested during the
night. The sound of the last gun had scarcely died away, when a Captain
Rounds, commanding one of the whalers, whose boats had assisted to tow
us in, came on board. After he had shaken hands and the usual
civilities had passed, he said--

"You are wise to show that you are wide-awake, and when you hear the
account I have to give you of the fearful work which took place here not
long ago, you will judge whether it will be prudent to put yourself or
any of your people in the power of the natives."

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Note 1. This account is true in every respect. My friend, Mr Henry
Foster, Trinity pilot, vouches for it.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

A FEARFUL NARRATIVE--DOINGS AT STRONG'S ISLAND.

As it was very hot below, the captain had ordered chairs and a small
table to be brought on deck, and he, with Captain Rounds, Dr Cockle,
and Mr Griffiths, took their seats, while Mr Harvey, Horner, and I
stood within earshot to hear the account our visitor