In company with the “Roscoe,” we made Pleasant Island on Wednesday, December 15th. About 11 A.M., when two or three miles from the land, the “Roscoe” about half a mile ahead of us, we perceived her suddenly heave-to and hoist her ensign half-mast, and union down. This we knew to be a signal of distress, and, fearing they were having some difficulty with the natives and needed our immediate assistance, we cracked on all sail and shortly rounded her stern. Captain Hayden informed us that the brig “Inga,” of New Bedford, Captain Barnes, had been taken here a few days previous by the natives, and all of the crew massacred save two; at the same time bidding us beware of the “copper-skinned rascals,” as he termed them. But his warning came too late, for already were our decks crowded with them. We had noticed, as something remarkable, that, after the “Roscoe” had hoisted her signal of distress, all the canoes left her and made for our ship. Not suspecting any danger, we had allowed them to come on board to the number of about four hundred. We were now in a position of extreme danger. As we afterward learned, it was their fixed intention to take our ship the first opportunity, as they owed us an old grudge for throwing their hogs and cocoanuts overboard when on a previous visit to them. That opportunity now presented itself. We must confess that things began to wear rather an unpleasant appearance, and we felt satisfied that nothing hardly short of a miracle could save us. Seeing and knowing our situation, Captain Hayden promptly came on board, himself and boat’s crew well armed, bringing with him a white man who had resided on the island many years, and who possessed much influence over the natives. It appears he succeeded in reaching the “Roscoe” prior to any of the natives, and informed Captain H. of the taking of the “Inga;” consequently, no natives were allowed to come on board, and they all pulled for our ship. This white man now informed our captain that he had better get all his weapons of defense in order, lead his muskets, etc., and take them into his cabin, “for,” said he, “these natives are determined to take your ship, if possible; they only await the arrival of one of their chiefs, who fancies you insulted him, and who has sworn to kill you with his own hands, to commence their murderous attack. I have some influence with them, and if I can keep them quiet, and get them away before he comes, I will do so; but if he comes to the ship, nothing can save you.”
The reader may rest assured that this news did not tend to allay our fears in the least, yet each one seemed determined to sell his life as dearly as possible. No undue excitement was exhibited; each one was calm, cool, collected, for we knew the first symptom of fear betrayed would be the signal for the work of destruction to commence. Quietly were all the muskets loaded, and our harpoons, lances, boat-hatchets, and other weapons made ready, so that they could be seized should occasion require. Fifteen or twenty minutes of the most intense anxiety to all hands passed, each one hoping something would transpire to cause the natives to leave. The ships were headed off the land, and sail made; still they did not appear inclined to leave, but sat in groups around the deck, intently watching every movement that was made, and earnestly conversing with each other, eying the cutting-spades which hung over the quarter-deck, and evidently longing for some one to commence the fracas. At length a happy thought suggested itself to one of our men. Mounting aloft, he remained a few moments at masthead. Gazing, with great interest apparently, at some object in the far distance, he sang out, with a loud, ringing, joyous voice, “Sail ho! A large man-of-war coming down from the windward under full sail!”
This was sufficient. The natives waited not to hear this repeated, but clambered over the side in the greatest hurry and confusion. Each one seemingly endeavored to be first, and in a few moments our decks were perfectly free from them. As the last native left the ship, one thrilling, deafening hurrah went up from all on board. This was caught up on board the “Roscoe,” and returned with a hearty “three times three.”
We congratulated ourselves on our narrow escape from these merciless savages, and could not but feel thankful to Almighty God for his providence in thus rescuing us. It would have been but a short battle had it commenced. As we have before remarked, the natives of this island are very powerful and robust; and their mode of warfare would have been to have seized the crew and thrown them overboard, while those in the canoes would have held the victims under the surface till they were drowned. Although the man who sang out “Sail ho!” from the masthead did not expect to see one when he started to go aloft, yet he did see a sail, which soon came down to us; and, although not a man-of-war, yet we were none the less pleased to see her. It proved to be the whale-ship “Hannibal,” of New London, Captain Lester.
We related to him all the circumstances connected with our late adventures, and he congratulated us heartily upon our narrow escape. The circumstances connected with the taking of the “Inga” were, as nearly as we could learn, as follows: The vessel was near the island, and crowded with natives. While trading with them, Captain Barnes, whether wisely or not we can not say, kept a cutlass in his hand; and, during the transaction of some petty trade, had some high words with a notorious chief; who, fancying himself insulted, seized the cutlass, cut Captain B. through the body, and then tossed him overboard. This was the signal for a general massacre. After killing all but one white man and a native of the Sandwich Islands, whom they took prisoners, they rifled the ship of all they considered valuable, and then attempted to run her ashore. Not succeeding very well themselves, they ordered their prisoners to work the brig to the land, or they would kill them. This they secretly determined not to do; and, bracing the head-yards one way and the after-yards in a contrary direction, caused the brig to remain in nearly a stationary condition. This puzzled them exceedingly; and, fearing a ship might heave in sight, they determined to scuttle her. Accordingly, a chief commenced cutting a hole in her side with an axe, which he let fall overboard after a few strokes. They then determined to set her on fire, which they did, and left for the shore. She probably burned to the water’s edge, as she was never heard from afterward.
We learned that the two prisoners were kept in close confinement on shore, yet kindly treated. We never learned what became of them, yet we trust they were released from the grasp of these murderous villains, as several ships visited the island after having heard of the destruction of the brig, and we know that no whaling captain would leave a thing undone to rescue them.
We took from Pleasant Island two men, one a native of the Azores, or Western Islands, and the other a New Yorker. These men begged the captain to take them with him, as they were afraid to remain on the island since the late massacre.
Christmas-day came round in due season, and, although it did not bring us roast turkey, yet it did sperm whales. We captured two fine ones on that day; and, as we finished stowing them down in the hold, New-Year’s-day came upon us, bringing “more of the same sort,” which proved very acceptable.
On Tuesday, January 4th, we spoke the “William Tell,” of Sag Harbor, Captain Taber, who reported that the “Mohawk” had visited Pleasant Island, and purchased several articles belonging to the ill-fated “Inga.” The natives had taken the chronometer apart, and were wearing the wheels and other parts of it around their necks as ornaments. They also reported that, had we been alone at the time of our late visit to Pleasant Island, we would certainly have lost our ship and our lives; nothing prevented it but our being in company with the “Roscoe.” When we heard this, we could but feel that
“There is a divinity that shapes our ends,