Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/134

114 board the Héroine. By four o'clock in the afternoon there remained of all their extensive establishment, of a quarter of a league in length, and which was pallisaded throughout, nothing but a heap of ashes.

In the mean time Eitouna had been a prisoner on board two days in the greatest uneasiness: he inquired frequently when they would put him to death. Not willing to prolong this mental torture, Captain Cécille acquainted him that he and his two companions should remain prisoners in the vessel, and be taken to France, when the King would decide their fate.

They soon became reconciled to their situation; and Captain Cécille having satisfied himself that Eimaré and his people were the aggressors, he contrived to open a communication with the people of Eitouna's tribe, and succeeded so far in assuring them of their safety from any further punishment, that several of them came on board to take leave of their chief.

After having landed on another part of the island, and destroyed some more pahs and canoes belonging to Eimaré's tribe, he visited Pitt Island, under the impression that as only one of the boats of the Jean Bart was to be found, it was very probable that those which were missing had been taken by the survivors of the crew, in which they might have sought a place of safety upon this contiguous islet. Eitouna appeared also to have been of the same opinion. But as all their searches