g out several articles which he had carried
with him as presents. On seeing this, two of the natives, placing their
weapons on the ground, advanced towards him, when he gave each of them a
present, and signed to others to come forward and receive the remainder.
As he was all the time covered by the muskets of the men in the boat,
he did not appear to consider that he was in any danger. As soon as the
natives had received their presents, they retreated to a little distance
and sat down, he imitating their example. He then, by signs,
endeavoured to make them understand that he wished to know what had
become of the people who had landed from the vessel on the rocks. They
seemed to understand him, and replied by signs that the people had gone
away into the interior. He, on this, tried to make them understand that
he wished them to be brought back. They made no reply, but talked
eagerly among themselves, and he could not tell whether they intended to
comply with his demands. Still they appeared to be as friendly as at
first. He was still sitting on the ground, waiting for their answer,
when their party was increased by several other persons, who advanced
from the larger body in the background. They were all young men, who,
though they had laid aside their bows and spears, still retained their
clubs. Having seated themselves, they made signs that they also wanted
presents; when they found that they were not forthcoming, they got up,
and, approaching the boatswain, who had also risen to his feet, one of
them tried to snatch his cap, while another seized a cutlass which he
had buckled round his waist. On this, with a blow of his fist, he
knocked the savage down, and was in the act of drawing his weapon to
defend himself, when another black, who had sprung behind him, dealt him
a blow on the head with a club, which felled him to the ground.

So rapidly had this taken place that the boat's crew were not prepared
to fire till they saw him fall. They instantly poured in a volley,
which killed two of the savages, while the rest bounded off towards
their companions. The seamen, then reloading, sprang on shore, in the
hopes of bringing off the boatswain, whom they supposed to be killed.
All that had occurred was seen from the ship, and Jack immediately
ordered two shells to be thrown in the direction of the savages, which,
falling into their midst, just at the moment that they were drawing
their arrows to shoot at the seam