done without much risk.

Throughout all this group of islands, the villages, for the most part,
are situated near the sea; and the adjacent ground is enclosed with
stone walls, about three feet high. These, we at first imagined, were
intended for the division of property; but we now discovered, that
they served, and probably were principally designed, for a defence
against invasion. They consist of loose stones, and the inhabitants
are very dexterous in shifting them with great quickness, to such
situations, as the direction of the attack may require. In the sides
of the mountain, which hangs over the bay, they have also little
holes, or caves, of considerable depth, the entrance of which is
secured by a fence of the same kind. From behind both these defences,
the natives kept perpetually harassing our waterers with stones; nor
could the small force we had on shore, with the advantage of muskets,
compel them to retreat.

In this exposed situation, our people were so taken up in attending
to their own safety, that they employed the whole forenoon in filling
only one ton of water. As it was therefore impossible to perform this
service, till their assailants were driven to a greater distance,
the Discovery was ordered to dislodge them with her great guns,
which being effected by a few discharges, the men landed without
molestation. However, the natives soon after made their appearance
again, in their usual mode of attack; and it was now found absolutely
necessary to burn down some straggling houses near the well, behind
which they had taken shelter. In executing these orders, I am sorry to
add, that our people were hurried into acts of unnecessary cruelty
and devastation. Something ought certainly to be allowed to their
resentment of the repeated insults and contemptuous behaviour of the
islanders, and to the natural desire of revenging the loss of their
commander. But, at the same time, their conduct served strongly to
convince me, that the utmost precaution is necessary in trusting,
though but for a moment, the discretionary use of arms in the hands
of private seamen or soldiers on such occasions. The rigour of
discipline, and the habits of obedience, by which their force is
kept directed to its proper objects, lead them naturally enough to
conceive, that whatever they have the power; they have also the right
to do. Actual disobedience being almost the only crime for which they
are accustomed to expect punishment, th