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AN ACCOUNT OF

178}. a convenient place was found in a rock, and theaugust, tools concealed ; and it was happily effected be-fore the King arrived, by which our people wererelieved from those difficulties they would other-wise have been under.

The morning being fine and calm, Our peoplelaunched their boats, in order to go off to theship, but miffed the jolly-boat’s rudder, whichhad been stolen for the fake of the iron. Those,on shore were employed in getting ready theblocks and ways, in order to lay down the in-tended vessel. They had already got a piece ofwood for a stem, and another for a stern-post.About ten o’clock the Chief Minister came overland, from the back of the island, which didnot exceed the distance of half a mile from thecove, and after looking for some time at theoperations then beginning, he took CaptainWlLSON by the hand, and led him to the tentwhere the arms were kept; after viewing wish-fully a cutlass, he asked him for it. In the par-ticular situation in which our people stood. Cap-tain WlLSON thought a refusal might be im-prudent, particularly to a Chief of his rank, andtherefore judged it wiser to make a viitue ofnecessity. But, on coming out of the tent, RaaKook saw it in his hand, seemed displeased, andmade him return it.

The Malay some time after coming on shorefrom a canoe, said there was bad news; that hehad heard c ‘ that a cutlass had been given to“ one who was almost a stranger , whilst the