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Article BARBAROUS ATTACK OF THE NATIVES. ← Page 4 of 4
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Barbarous Attack Of The Natives.
unfortunate circumstance for us , especiall y for those whose wounds required speedy dressing . At four o ' clock they tacked again , and stood in for the land . As soon as we were without the reefs , ' ! set the sails , and hauled close to the wind , in order to get clear of the coast , throwing overboard every thing likely to impede the sailing of a boat so full of people . Fortunately , the islanders , busy in plundering the boatsdid not
long- , think of pursuing us . Our whole means of defence consisted of four or five cutlasses , and a charge for two or three muskets ; a poor resource against two or three hundred barbarians armed with stones and clubs , and masters of li ght canoes which would enable them to choose their distance . Several of these canoes came out of the bay shortl y after we left it ; but they made sail along shorewhence of the number
, one set off to give information to those that had remained alongside the frigates . The Indians on board had the insolence to make menacing signs as they passed by ; but our situation obliged us to suspend our vengeance , and to reserve our feeble means for self-defence . As soon as we were in the offingwe pulled with the wind end
, up on towards the frigates , hoisting a red hankerchief at the mast-head , and on nearer approach finngour three last musket shots . M . Mouton made a so the signal for assistance with two handkerciefs ; but we were almost a ongside before we were perceived . The Astrolabe , the nearest of
the two frigates , then bore down upon us ; and at half past four I put those who were the most severely wounded on board of her M Mouton haying done the same , we repaired without delay to the J 3 oussole , where I informed the Commodore of this disastrous event . Our present misfortunes reminded us strongly of that of July nth i 786 , and helped to throw a still stronger gloom over our voyage tho ' in this last circumstance
we were still fortunate in saving the greater part of those whp had gone ashore . If the desire of ' plunder had not for a moment stopped or fixed the fury of the savages , not a man 01 us would have escaped . It is impossible to describe the consternation occasioned by this f * il event on board the two frigates . The death of M . de Langle who enjoyed the confidence
and esteem of his crew , was matte ? ot the deepest regret to every one . The islanders who were » lon ° * ide when 1 came on board , were on the point of being immolated to the vengeance 0 f our sailors , whom we found it extremely difficult to restrain . I he general affliction which rei gned on board is the best panegyric that can be pronounced the This brave
on captain . officer , being more exposed than anyone else , was the firsrwho fell a prey to the wild beasts thatassailed us . * In my weak and convalescent state , 1 had gone ashore without arms , under the protection of others ; and when I reached the barge all the ammunition was either exhausted or wet . Ail then that I could do was to give orders , which were unfortunatel y of too little effect .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Barbarous Attack Of The Natives.
unfortunate circumstance for us , especiall y for those whose wounds required speedy dressing . At four o ' clock they tacked again , and stood in for the land . As soon as we were without the reefs , ' ! set the sails , and hauled close to the wind , in order to get clear of the coast , throwing overboard every thing likely to impede the sailing of a boat so full of people . Fortunately , the islanders , busy in plundering the boatsdid not
long- , think of pursuing us . Our whole means of defence consisted of four or five cutlasses , and a charge for two or three muskets ; a poor resource against two or three hundred barbarians armed with stones and clubs , and masters of li ght canoes which would enable them to choose their distance . Several of these canoes came out of the bay shortl y after we left it ; but they made sail along shorewhence of the number
, one set off to give information to those that had remained alongside the frigates . The Indians on board had the insolence to make menacing signs as they passed by ; but our situation obliged us to suspend our vengeance , and to reserve our feeble means for self-defence . As soon as we were in the offingwe pulled with the wind end
, up on towards the frigates , hoisting a red hankerchief at the mast-head , and on nearer approach finngour three last musket shots . M . Mouton made a so the signal for assistance with two handkerciefs ; but we were almost a ongside before we were perceived . The Astrolabe , the nearest of
the two frigates , then bore down upon us ; and at half past four I put those who were the most severely wounded on board of her M Mouton haying done the same , we repaired without delay to the J 3 oussole , where I informed the Commodore of this disastrous event . Our present misfortunes reminded us strongly of that of July nth i 786 , and helped to throw a still stronger gloom over our voyage tho ' in this last circumstance
we were still fortunate in saving the greater part of those whp had gone ashore . If the desire of ' plunder had not for a moment stopped or fixed the fury of the savages , not a man 01 us would have escaped . It is impossible to describe the consternation occasioned by this f * il event on board the two frigates . The death of M . de Langle who enjoyed the confidence
and esteem of his crew , was matte ? ot the deepest regret to every one . The islanders who were » lon ° * ide when 1 came on board , were on the point of being immolated to the vengeance 0 f our sailors , whom we found it extremely difficult to restrain . I he general affliction which rei gned on board is the best panegyric that can be pronounced the This brave
on captain . officer , being more exposed than anyone else , was the firsrwho fell a prey to the wild beasts thatassailed us . * In my weak and convalescent state , 1 had gone ashore without arms , under the protection of others ; and when I reached the barge all the ammunition was either exhausted or wet . Ail then that I could do was to give orders , which were unfortunatel y of too little effect .