29th. Early in the morning, we discovered a boat under sail, standing directly for the place where we were; the natives were considerably agitated with fear, and engaged in planning some method by which to overcome the people in the boat, if they should come where we were; and, as I expected, the natives would hide me, as they had heretofore done, I thought it best to offer my services to assist them—I said I would aid them in fighting the boat’s crew—and that, as I could talk with them, I would go to them, in advance of the natives, deceive the crew, and prevail on them to come on shore and sit down, and for us to appear friendly till in possession of their arms, then rise upon the crew and kill them without difficulty or hazard. Some of the natives suspected that I should revolt to the other party, and turn the current of destruction on them; but the chief Luttuon said he liked my plan much, and would inquire of their God, and if he found that I should be true to them, my plan should be adopted. The inquiry resulted in favor of my plan, and they said I might go. The boat was now within one hundred rods of the shore, and Luttuon called me to him, oiled my head and body with cocoanut oil, and gave me my charge how to conduct. I pledged myself to obey his orders. My joy at this moment was great, as the boat anchored near where we were. I went to the beach, accompanied by about one hundred of the smartest natives, whom I charged not to manifest a hostile appearance. I hailed the boat in English, and told the crew what the calculations of the natives were, and not to land unless they were well armed. The officer of the boat replied that he would be among them directly; and in a few minutes they landed, (13 men and 2 officers,) and when within a rod of us, I ran to Lieut. H. Paulding, who took me by the hand, asked if I was one of the Globe’s crew, and inquired my name, &c. &c. We then retreated to the boat, facing the natives, who all kept their seats, excepting the one I called father, who came down among us, and took hold of me to carry me back, but desisted on having a pistol presented to his breast.
Lieut. Hiram Paulding, of the Navy, for such was the name of this gentlemanly officer, informed me that the vessel, was the U. S. Schooner Dolphin, sent on purpose to rescue us, and commanded by Lieut. Com’t. John Percival.
After expressing my gratitude as well as I was able, to Heaven, which had furnished the means of my deliverance, I acquainted Mr. Paulding, that the only survivor of the Globe, except myself, was Cyrus M. Hussey; who was held in bondage upon a neighbouring Island. After the boat’s crew had taken some refreshment, we left the landing place, and soon arrived at the place where Hussey lived. The natives had concealed him, but after some threatenings from us, restored him, and we were received on board of the Dolphin, and treated in the most kind and hospitable manner.
Our hair was now cut, and we were shaved. Our appearance must have been truly ludicrous, our hair having been growing twenty-two months, untouched by the razor or scissors.
Our joy and happiness on finding ourselves on board an American Man-of-War, and seeing “the star spangled banner,” once more floating in the air, we will not attempt to describe. Suffice it to say, that none can form a true estimate of our feelings, except it be those who have been suddenly and unexpectedly rescued from pain and peril, and threatening death. In the afternoon the Captain wished me to go on shore with him, as an interpreter. We accordingly went, and passed over to the village on the other side of the Island, where we had an interview with a woman of distinction, (the men having fled, being principally absent with the chiefs at Alloo.) The captain informed her he wished to see the chiefs, and requested her to send for them that night, that he might visit them in the morning, and make them some presents. We then returned to the vessel; and the following day, Dec. 1st, went on shore for the purpose of seeing the chiefs, but could not obtain an interview with them. The captain informed the natives that he must see the chiefs, and that he would wait another day, but if disappointed then, he should be compelled to use coercive means. They immediately sent another messenger after them, and we returned on board, accompanied by several of the natives, among whom was Ludjuan. The captain made him several presents, and informed him they were given as a compensation for saving my life. Shortly after, the natives went on shore.
The next morning, Dec. 2d, the captain sent me on shore, to ascertain whether the chiefs had returned, and I was informed by the natives that they had, and were then at a house half a mile distant. This intelligence having been communicated to the captain, he went on shore, and took myself and Hussey for interpreters; but we found on our arrival, that the natives had been practising a piece of deception—the chiefs not having returned. Very much displeased at this perfidious treatment, the captain made a demand of the chiefs before sunset, threatening, if it were not complied with, to go on shore with fifty men, well armed, and destroy every person he could find. This threat threw the natives into consternation, and immediately another messenger was despatched for the chiefs. The natives were so alarmed, that they soon sent off three or four more messengers; and we returned on board to dine. After dinner, I went on shore with Mr. Paulding, the first Lieutenant, and some of the under officers, for the purpose of shooting birds. After rambling round the Island for some time, we discovered a number of natives quickly approaching us from the lower part of the Island; and supposing the chiefs were with them, we sat down to await their arrival; but before they came to us, a signal was set on board the schooner, for us to return, which was immediately obeyed, without waiting for an interview with the natives. Early on the next morning, I was sent ashore to ascertain whether the chiefs had arrived, and soon found that they had, and were in a hut, waiting to receive a visit from the captain, who, I informed them, would come on shore after breakfast, to have a talk with them, and also to bestow some presents. Accordingly, the captain, with myself and Hussey, repaired to the hut, where we found them sitting, and ready to commune with us.
The captain told them he had been sent out by the Head Chief of his country, to look for the men that had been left there by the ship Globe—that he had been informed they murdered all but two—that, as it was their first offence of the kind, their ignorance would plead an excuse—but if they should ever kill or injure another white man, who was from any vessel or wreck, or who might be left among them, our country would send a naval force, and exterminate every soul on the Island; and also destroy their fruit trees, provisions, &c. and that if they would always treat white men kindly, they never would receive any injury from them, but would have their kindness and hospitality reciprocated. He also adverted to the practice of stealing, lying, and other immoralities; stating to the natives that these crimes are abhorred and punished in our country; and that murder is punished with death. He then sent me to the boat, lying at the beach, to bring three tomahawks, one axe, a bag of beads, and a number of cotton handkerchiefs, which were presented to the chiefs. He also gave them two hogs, and a couple of cats, with injunctions not to destroy them, that they might multiply. The captain caused potatoes, corn, pumpkins, and many valuable seeds to be planted, and gave the natives instructions how to raise and preserve them. He then explained to them that these acts of kindness and generosity were extended, because they saved us alive, and had taken care of us while among them. This conversation with the natives being ended, we went on board, dined, and the captain and Hussey went again on shore. The first Lieutenant made preparations for cruising in the launch, round the Island, to make topographical surveys, who took me with him, as interpreter, and about 4 o’clock, we commenced a cruise with a design to sail up an inlet or inland sea; but the wind blowing fresh, and having a head sea, at 12 o’clock we anchored for the night.
Dec. 4th. At sunrise, we found ourselves not more than a mile from the place where we crossed over the evening before; and immediately getting under weigh, and rowing to the westward, we soon came to the place where the Globe’s station had been; anchored, and went on shore, for the purpose of disinterring the bones of Comstock, who had been buried there, and to obtain a cutlass, which was buried with him; but before we had accomplished the undertaking, the schooner got under weigh, and soon anchored abreast of us, at the same place where the Globe’s provisions were landed. The captain and Hussey immediately came on shore to view the place; but as I caught cold the preceding night, by lying exposed in our launch, I was excused from serving further with Mr. Paulding in making surveys, and Hussey supplied my place. Soon after, I went on board with the captain, carrying with me the skull of the person we had dug up, and the cutlass, intending to convey them to America.
After dinner, the captain made a trip in the gig, to Alloo, taking me for his interpreter, where we arrived in half an hour, and soon travelled up to the village. The natives received us with marks of gladness, and in a short time the house at which we stopped was surrounded by them, who came undoubtedly for the purpose of gratifying their curiosity, by gazing at us. We remained at the village about two hours, during which time we had considerable talk with two of the chief women, and made some small presents to the people, such as beads, &c. They did not treat us as they usually do visitors, with fruit, &c. there being at that time what we call a famine, which in their language, is Ingathah.
After having taken leave of the natives, and walked about half the distance to the shore, we stopped to refresh ourselves under a fine cool shade. While in conversation on the manners and customs of the natives, an old man and woman approached us, who had acted towards me, during my residence among them, as father and mother. I immediately made them and their kindness to me known to the captain, who, in consideration of their humane treatment, rewarded them with a few beads and a handkerchief, for which they appeared thankful and grateful—telling them at the same time, the presents were to recompense their hospitality to me, and enjoining on them at all times to be friendly to the whites, and a reward would certainly await them. It being near the close of the day, we left Alloo, and having a fair wind, reached the schooner before dark.