Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

554< SEIZURE OF THE NEWTON. NoV. Valparaiso, under Chilian colours, though owned by British subjects), has by some persons been supposed to have been excited by Queen Pomare : but the following statement, from Mr. Middleton, who was pilot on board the ship at the time, gives a very different idea. The master of that vessel (named Clarke) had employed some natives of Bow Island to dive for pearl oyster-shells on his account ; he had agreed to pay them a certain quantity of cloth, and to give them so much provision per month. Repeated ill-treatment, and a miserable supply of provisions (at one time only one cocoa-nut each day, without any thing else), induced the natives to think of deserting him ; yet they were unwilhng to lose the reward of their labours, which had been very severe. One morning he had agreed to the pilot's earnest request that the natives should have more food, and had ordered a biscuit a-piece for them ! Soon after the pilot, who was charged with the care of the natives, had delivered the biscuits, the master came on deck, affected to deny his orders, snatched the biscuits away from each of them, and threw them overboard ! Sullen and fierce looks were exchanged ; and the pilot warned Mr. Clarke that the natives would attack him, and take the vessel, if he did not alter his harsh conduct : to which he replied, by defy- ing half a hundred of them ! A few words from the pilot, in their own language, ap- peased their resentment at the moment, and the brooding storm passed over ; but in the course of that day, while Middleton was away getting shells, the master beat a chief. This was an unpardonable affront ; they took possession of the vessel ; bound all the white people ; and carried them on shore. What extraordinary mildness among savages ! When the pilot returned with his cargo of shells, he saw none of the crew ; and at first hesitated to approach. But the natives seeing this, hailed him, saying, that they did not intend to hurt any one ; that they were his friends ; and had touched none of his things. This he found true. His own cabin was shut up — untouched ; though every other place in the ship had