About dark we arrived at the village of Umbawaller. Here we remained for the night. We were now about twenty miles from the ship. Next morning we got under way with a fine breeze and pleasant weather and at night landed on a small island in Wylain bay, about a mile from the ship. There being no huts here we slept on the grass. By daylight next morning we were under way for the ship, where we safely arrived, having been absent twenty days. I was welcomed back with three hearty cheers from the crew, who had given me up for lost. The hogs were taken on board and paid for at the rate of twenty for a musket; the chief received his keg of powder for his services and they all went off well satisfied.
Chapter VII.
SPEAKS NANTUCKET SHIP—RETURNS TO FEEJEES—SHIPWRECKED AGAIN—PASSAGE FOR HOME ON SCHOONER—BACK IN NANTUCKET AFTER NINE YEARS' ABSENCE.
The ship was now ready for sea, and on the 24th of April, 1830, we got under way and steered out, but not being able to find a passage through the main reef before night, put back and anchored at the Island of Anganger. Here we experienced a severe gale, sent down topgallant yards and masts and housed the topmasts. We rode out the gale, which lasted 2 days, without any damage, then got under way and went to Myambooa. We sailed from here the 28th, got clear of the islands and shaped our course for Manila.
Nothing out of the common course occurred during the passage. We entered the strait of St. Bernardino on the 19th of June and arrived at Caveeta on the 25th. After receiving a visit from the health officer Capt. Archer, with a boat's crew, went to Manila. The next morning the boat returned. While lying here the schooner Antarctic of New York, Capt. Morell, arrived, having lost his mate and thirteen seamen, who were killed by the savages. On the 28th we received orders from the captain to come to Manila with the ship, and in the afternoon got under way, ran into Manila roads and came to among the shipping.
After selling the cargo, Capt. Archer concluded to fit out for another voyage to the islands. I was in hopes he would take a cargo for the United States, as I was quite tired of the beche de mer business and was anxious to get home, but in this I was disappointed. Capt. Archer offered to get me a passage to Canton in an American ship which was lying here, so I concluded to take my discharge and take passage to Canton. I accordingly settled with Capt. Archer and took my things on board the Canton ship. I stopped on board of her two days and was informed by her officers that I should probably have to stop in Canton two or three months before there would be an opportunity to go to America. This discouraged me from taking this method to get home, thinking it would about use up what little saving I had made. I then decided I would join the Glide again if I could get fair wages and continue in her till she went. I borrowed the ship's boat and went to Capt. Archer, told him my determination and offered to go with him for twenty dollars per month which, after some hesitation, he agreed to give me.
About the 20th of July, 1830, we sailed for the islands. After getting through the straits we hauled to the northward and crossed the North Pacific Ocean in about the latitude of 30 degrees. During our passage across here, which is called the coast of Japan, we saw a great number of whales and several whale ships. We spoke the ship Zenas Coffin, of Nantucket, Capt. Joy, and two New Bedford ships. We continued our passage for the Sandwich Islands, where we arrived and anchored at the island of Mowee on the 8th of October. Here there were several Nantucket ships and men, and it seemed almost like home to me for a while. Among them was a cousin of mine who could tell me much interesting news from home. The time passed very agreeably. We procured supplies and on the 15th sailed for the Feejees.
Nothing of consequence occurred during our passage until about the middle of November, when we made Perhhyns island, a low island situated in 9 degrees 01' South Latitude and 157 degrees 35' West Longitude. While running along the shore of this island we saw three or four canoes coming towards us. We backed the maintopsail and waited for them. When they got within a short distance of us they set up a terrible shouting and yelling, brandishing their clubs and making all manner of threatening gestures, while still more canoes could be seen coming, but we were well armed and manned and did not fear them. Seeing they were about to surround the ship, the captain ordered a musket fired over their heads as they were crossing the bow, but they paid no regard to it. They came alongside on both sides. We tried to entice them on board, but they would not come. Each one held his spear in his hand ready for use.
Finding there was nothing to be got from them we braced forward the main yard and soon left them astern. They continued following us for some time. Thinking they might come on board, we again backed the maintopsail and let them come alongside. They clambered out of their canoes into the main and mizzen chains still grasping their spears. Capt. Archer turned back-to to them and stooped to take something off the hencoop, when a fellow in the mizzen chains let fly his spear at his head. It grazed his neck hard enough to break the skin. A volley was immediately fired upon them on both sides, and some were run through with boarding pikes. They all jumped or fell overboard. We cut adrift their canoes from alongside, braced full, and left them to pick up their dead and wounded. Some of the crew were anxious to attack them, but Capt. Archer told them there had been too much blood shed already.
This island was nearly covered with coconut trees. The warriors were very dark colored. There were a few women with them who were much lighter colored and had remarkably smooth skins. They had nothing in their canoes except instruments of war consisting of spears, lances and clubs. Some of them had on necklaces made of hair very neatly braided and where the ends were fastened they had a finger nail secured on.