Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/81

Rh mile to the southward of Hilo. The boats were now sent, with forty-five men, on board the Begonio, which anchored at ten before the town, commenced firing, and began to land the men at the same time. Whilst landing, the enemy opened a smart fire of musquetry, which mortally wounded one man, and slightly wounded two others. The men being all landed, took refuge behind a rock, whence, seeing a fit opportunity, they rushed forth, drove the Spaniards out of the town, and took possession of it. In one house they witnessed a scene sufficiently ludicrous, viz. the commandant and a fat friar, so drunk that they could not stand; these they secured without much trouble, in hopes of receiving a ransom for them.

As the enemy was expected to come shortly in greater numbers from the country,—to defend themselves better they took possession of the church, and mounted a swivel on the steeple. In the mean while the men plundered and pillaged the place of everything valuable, nor was it possible to restrain them. Silver candlesticks, chalices, incense pans, crucifixes, and images also of silver, constituted a rich booty: those made of wax and wood were of course not appropriated, but, notwithstanding, sadly abused. The next morning, at eight A. M. the enemy not having yet made his appearance, the officers