THE SANDWICH ISLANDERS.

93

in managing the ship at sea. He asked the missionaries to assist him in the search. They accordingly sent people to look for them, and soon heard that they were with Otu, who sent word to the captain that he would not give them up, unless he received a gun in exchange for each man. The captain would have given him two guns, (for he had only promised not to exchange guns for food,) but he could not spare five. Therefore Otu would not send back the men, who, he hoped, would be useful in his wars.

Before the ship left, the captain asked the missionaries what they wished to receive in return for the food they had supplied him with. As they were anxious to be better prepared to defend themselves against the natives, whenever they should be attacked, they asked for one or two guns, with a little ammunition. The captain presented them with three guns and other weapons, and a quantity of powder and ball. Such a present naturally increased the anger of Otu.

After having remained only four days at Tahiti, the ship departed. The missionaries began soon to be uneasy at seeing none of the king's family, and to fear they were displeased.

After the ship had been absent a fortnight, great was the astonishment of the missionaries to see it return. They found that another

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THE ESCAPE OF THE SAILORS.

storm had obliged it to come back for fresh supplies. The missionaries again attempted to procure hogs and fruit for the ship; but the natives refused to sell them, saying they belonged to Pomare. The brethren supposed that Pomare had forbidden the people to sell to them, and became more uneasy than before.

That night a circumstance occurred that plunged them into deep trouble in the end. Two sailors escaped from the ship in the ship's boat. The captain was determined to use every endeavour to force the men to return, and requested the assistance of the missionaries. The brethren met together to consult about what they should do. They felt sure that the sailors had fled to Otu, and they were afraid lest Otu would some day employ these men, and the Sandwich Islanders, (who could fight better than the Tahitians,) in attacking them. They determined, therefore, to go to Otu, and to desire him to restore them to the captain, and to threaten, if he refused, not to allow any one to approach their lands. This determination was not wise; for they had no power or right over Otu; and they should have trusted in God to protect them.

The brethren set out immediately to go to Pare, where Pomare, Temari, and Otu were, and to demand that the sailors should be restor ed. These four were appointed to go on this

EXPEDITION TO Otu.

95

expedition-namely, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Broomhall, Mr. Main, and Mr. William Puckey, accompanied by a few of their native servants.

It was eleven when they set out. At one they arrived at the house of Temari; he was the particular friend (according to the Tahitian custom) of Mr. Main. They might, therefore, expect good treatment from him. They asked Temari to come with them to the house of Otu, which was a little further on. He went with them, but did not follow them into the house. They found Otu surrounded by his attendants, amongst whom they observed the Sandwich Islanders, but not the sailors. Otu spoke to them as usual on their entrance, but afterwards remained almost silent, and looked very gloomy. The missionaries had sent a messenger to Pomare (who was living about two miles further on) to fetch him, as they waited to speak about the sailors till Pomare should come: but as he did not arrive, they determined to go themselves and fetch him.

On going out of Otu's house, they found Temari waiting near. They asked him why he had not come in with them, and he replied that he was not dressed enough for the king's presence. They were satisfied with this reason, and proceeded on their way. About thirty of Otu's servants followed them, but as this was a common occurrence, they were not

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VIOLENT ATTACK.

alarmed by it. They had proceeded almost a mile, and were just going to cross a small river, when suddenly several natives seized upon each of them, and began to tear off their clothes, not not waiting to unbutton them. They dragged Mr. Jefferson through the river, and also Mr. William Puckey, whom they almost drowned. Some other natives came to the assistance of the brethren, and delivered three of them out of their enemies' hands. These three entreated to be taken to Pomare. Though thankful for their escape, they felt very uneasy at not seeing Mr. Broomhall, and feared lest he had been murdered. The natives who had rescued them, led them towards Pomare's dwelling.

As they went along with scarcely any clothes, many of the native women, whose houses they passed, shed tears of compassion for them. They found Pomare and Idia in a shed by the sea-side, and were received kindly by both, clothed in native cloth, and comforted by kind promises of protection. Idia, bold and hardened as she was, wept when she saw their condition.

After resting an hour in the shed, they set out, with Pomare and Idia, to return to Otu's house.

On their way they met Mr. Broomhall. They heard that though his life had been

REDRESS OF INJURIES.

97

threatened, yet that his shirt, trousers, and watch, had been spared, and that he had been taken to the king, who had procured his hat for him. This news gave them hope of having their clothes again.

When arrived at the house of the king, Pomare called out his son and asked him some questions about the treatment the missionaries had received. By Otu's answers it appeared, he had known beforehand, what the natives were going to do.

A long while afterwards, the missionaries became certain, that he had desired his servants to strip them, and that Temari had joined with him in the scheme. In this way, he had tried to revenge himself on the missionaries, for depriving him of guns. Wicked as this conduct was, his motive for desiring them was far more wicked: but this was, at present, concealed from all, but those who joined with him.

Otu was afraid of his concern in the attack being discovered by the missionaries, not wishing probably to lose their favour entirely; therefore he restored their clothes to them, and looked at them more kindly than before.

The sailors now made their appearance among Otu's attendants. Pomare promised the missionaries that he would make Otu send

H