ion relating to the customs and manners of his country was also
gained from him: but as this subject will be separately and amply treated,
I shall not anticipate myself by partially touching on it here.

On the 2nd of February died Captain John Shea of the marines, after a
lingering illness: he was interred on the following day, with the customary
military honours, amidst the regret of all who knew him. In consequence of
his decease, appointments for the promotion of the oldest officer of
each subordinate rank were signed by the major commandant of the marine
battalion, until the pleasure of the lords of the admiralty should be
notified.*

[*These appointments were confirmed by the admiralty.]

On the 17th of February the 'Supply' again sailed for Norfolk Island. The
governor went down the harbour in her, and carried Arabanoo with him, who
was observed to go on board with distrust and reluctance; when he found she
was under sail, every effort was tried without success to exhilarate him;
at length, an opportunity being presented, he plunged overboard, and struck
out for the nearest shore: believing that those who were left behind would
fire at him, he attempted to dive, at which he was known to be very expert:
but this was attended with a difficulty which he had not foreseen: his
clothes proved so buoyant, that he was unable to get more than his head
under water: a boat was immediately dispatched after him, and picked him
up, though not without struggles and resistance on his side. When brought
on board, he appeared neither afraid or ashamed of what he had done, but
sat apart, melancholy and dispirited, and continued so until he saw the
governor and his other friends descend into a boat, and heard himself
called upon to accompany them: he sprang forward, and his cheerfulness and
alacrity of temper immediately returned, and lasted during the remainder of
the day. The dread of being carried away, on an element of whose boundary
he could form no conception, joined to the uncertainty of our intention
towards him, unquestionably caused him to act as he did.

One of the principal effects which we had supposed the seizure and
captivity of Arabanoo would produce, seemed yet at as great a distance as
ever; the natives neither manifested signs of increased hostility on his
account, or attempted to ask any explanation of our conduct through the
medium of their countryman who was in our possession, and who they knew was
treated wi