Page:Voyage of discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and round the world in the years 1791-95, volume 2.djvu/160

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be taken to liis refidence, and gave particular injunftions that he fhould receive every alFiftance in their power to bellow.

From Davis I learned, that he had been treated by Tamaahmaah and his attendants with a degree of humanity, kindnefs, and careful at- tention, that he could not have believed thefe people were capable of (hewing.

The following is his account of the melancholy fate of the younger Metcalf and his people, on the capture of the fchooner by Tamaah- inootoo ; which I have every reafon to believe is a true and fair ftatement of that unjuftifiable tranfaftion.

" The fchooner, being clofe in with the land, and nearly or intirely becalmed, fhe was vifited by Tamaahmootoo, a very powerful chief, who was attended by a great number of the innabitants. Many of thefe, as well as their chief, made confiderable prefents to the young comman- der, and others fold their hogs and vegetables for Httle or nothing; and in order to ingratiate themfelves further in the good opinion of Mr. Metcalf, and to gain his permiflion for their entering his veflel, they told him that the fnow was but a little way to the weftward, and that he would fee his father before night.

Davis, who was at the helm, reprefented the impropriety of this measure to Mr. Metcalf, and faid that he thought the behaviour of the natives had a very fufpicious appearance ; but all he could urge was to no effeft ; the young commander, perfeftly fatisfied of their friendly intentions, replied that they would do them no harm, and allowed as many as thought proper to come on board his vefTel. In a few minutes he was feized by Tamaahmootoo, thrown overboard, and was no more feen. Davis having a piflol at hand, fnapped it at the chief on his feizing his commander, but it unfortunately miffed fire. He was then thrown overboard himfelf, and moft inhumanly treated whilfl in the water; the women Ilripped him there of his cloaths, and the men endeavour- ed to murder him with their paddles, being otherways all totally unarmed. But Davis being a good fwimmer, and a very ftrong athletic man> efcaped from one canoe to another before his purfuers, in order to pre- ferve his life, W' 'h he appeared to be incapable of prolonging but for a few