285
the eastern cliffs, she was thrown, just after dark, intoa very critical situation, near a rocky point and in-dentation of the precipice. Her danger was an-nounced by the firing first of musketry and after-wards of a large gun. Three boats were imme-diately despatched from the Vincennes, under thecommand of Lieutenant Dornin, followed by thelaunch with a kedge and hawsers. They arrivedjust in time to prevent her striking; she was alreadyunder the influence of the swell and almost uponthe rocks: five minutes later and she would havebeen utterly lost, and in so unpropitious a situationthat the whole ship’s company might have perishedwith her.
After the effort of an hour, however, on the partof our officers and men, she was towed to a place ofsecurity and succeeded in passing the Sentinelsand getting safely to sea.
LETTER XXXI.
REMOVAL OF THE VINCENNES TO THE TERRITO-RIES OF THE TAIPIIS.
Tower Bluff.—Dangerous Anchorage.—Visit from the Chiefs.—Interesting Conference.—Visit to the Shore.—Man-stealingand Cannibalism.—Scene on the Beach.—Case of Sickness.—Diseases.—Expression of Ill-will.