THE PELEW ISLANDS.. 65

Wilson remained with them after the guard 178;.Was set, and centinels placed, to shew them \ u G u s T.respect, as well ns to testify the confidence heplaced in them. Soon after which the followingcircumstance happened , which occasioned muchalarm.

After the guard was set, and the centinelsplaced, our people were going to rest, when,on a sudden, the natives began a song, theshrillness and manner of which made them thinkit was their war - hoop, or the signal for theKing and his party from the back of the islandto come upon them ; the English instantly tookto their arms, and Messrs. BARKER and Sharpran to the tent where Captain Wilson was, tofee if he was safe; judging, that if any harmwas intended, the natives would secure him,who was alone with them. — Seeing him safeand quiet, they informed him of the apprehen-sions of our people, who were all under arms;he requested Mr. Barker to return immediatelyto them , and desire them to make no shew ofbeing alarmed, but to keep upon their guarduntil they should find what the meaning of thismight be, adding, that he would come to themas soon as he could do it without being noticed; herequested Mr. Sharp to sit down by the King’sson, and enter into some conversation with him,by signs, whilst he went himself to their tent,where he found the people under arms; after alittle deliberation on what this noise might mean,it was thought best to discover no appearance

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