by John Marshall

“ My station was in the stern-sheets, where providentially lay a pair of large horse-pistols I took one of them, and a midshipman, who stood by me, seized the other. We had scarcely done this, when two tall, strong, horrid-looking savages, rushed into the water, within a few feet of us, each armed with a long spear, and their faces painted with all sorts of colours. ”

“ By this time our boat had got into shoal water, and was close to the beach, within reach of their arrows. Vancouver began to talk of retreating, yet did not like to shew any symptom of fear; he ordered the arms-chest to be opened, and that every man should prepare to defend himself. The moment the savages saw us arming, they rushed towards the boat, and, plunging into the sea, got under our oars, so that they could not be used; others laid hold of the boat, and endeavoured to haul her on shore. Vancouver in vain endeavoured to hold a parley with them, and to explain that no harm was intended . ”

“ The savage who was opposed to me threw himself back a little, elevated his spear, and seemed in the very act of hurling it through my body, when suddenly his eye caught mine, and he observed that the muzzle of my pistol was directed to his breast. ”