300 JOHN BOIT
surprize. But shou'd we have been over pow'd by numbers, our friends perhaps never wou'd have known our sad fate.
But fortunately, in the evening, the Sandwich Island lad made a confession to his Master, (as follows) : 104 He said Tatoochkasettle, (the Chief) told him, that Wickananish was about to take the Ship and Massacre all the Crew, and said he shou'd be a great man if he wou'd wet our Musketts, and steal for him some Bulletts. He said they shou'd come that night, or the next, or the next, and told him to come over to them, when the fray first began. This news alarm'd the Ship's Company exceedingly, and we immediately got in readiness to receive them. Capt. Gray call'd his officers together, for to consult what was best to be done, and we was unanimously of opinion that 't was best to haul the Ship on the ways, and grave her, as, the tide then suited, and we cou'd retreat in safety to the Block House shou'd the Natives appear, (where we had several Cannon mounted and good quarters.) This plan was immediately put in execution, leaving a strong guard on the point for to guard the Stores, with necessary signals shou'd they want relief. By midnight one side of the Ship was finish'd, when we heard a most hideous hooping of Indians, and at every shout they seem'd to come nearer. Every man immediately took his arms, and stood ready, both on board ship and at the Log house. They kept hooping about one hour, when they ceas'd and 't is probable retreated, lamenting their hard luck, that the cruel plan was so completely frus- trated. The guard at the point saw many large Canoes off the entrance of the Cove, but like brave fellows, they scorn'd to quit the station. In the morning tide we finish'd the Ship, and haul'd again to the point, and in the course of the Day took on board all the stores and cannon, and moor'd off in the Cove, in our old berth. Scal'd the Guns, which made all rattle again, and I believe never was more work done in so short a time. But Men determin'd can do most any thing.
It does not appear that Wickananish wish'd to conquer a part of us, as he had frequent opportunitys to have accomplish'd
104 Both Haswll and Hoskins tell the same _story, in the main; though their accounts are more circumstantial and more thrilling.
