that the chiefs of Sanapu had enticed away and secreted two of the men, intending them for pilots of that harbour after the Peacock should depart, and had promised to protect them. A messenger was at once despatched across the island by Pea, the chief of Apia, demanding the two deserters from the Sanapu chiefs; at the same time assuring them that if the men were not immediately delivered up, the Peacock would "be removed to their harbour, and their town destroyed. This had the desired effect, and the deserters were brought back to the ship by the chiefs of Sanapu.

Captain Hudson, after rebuking the chiefs for the part they had taken in the transaction, and giving them some advice in regard to their future intercourse with the whites, paid them the reward Lieutenant Perry had offered for the apprehension of the deserters.

On the 21st, Captain Hudson hearing that the noted Sangapolutale, principal chief of the towns of Saluafata, Fusi, and Salelese, who had protected and refused to give up the murderer of Gideon Smith, Tagi, before mentioned, was at one of the towns near by on a visit, determined, if possible, to surprise and take him prisoner, to be held until such time as the murderer were given up. For this purpose he visited the town before daylight of the 22d, with a few officers and men, but without success.

Previous to this time, Captain Hudson had had intercourse with this chief through our consul, Mr. Williams; and had demanded of him the punishment or delivery of the murderer, Tagi. In the course of the communications, Sangapolutale acknowledged that the murderer ought to be punished or given up; said he once wanted to kill him himself; but being a petty chief, he was backed and protected by the chiefs and the people of the three towns before named, who were promised, in case of necessity, assistance from some of the neighbouring chiefs, as well as others on the opposite side of the island. He further said, that he was desirous of giving him up, a few months before, to the commander of the Porpoise. It was distinctly stated to Sangapolutale, that the murderer must be either punished or given up, in conformity to the regulations adopted in their fono, composed of all the principal chiefs in the island, and that if neither of these stipulations were complied with Captain Hudson would be compelled to employ the force under him in burning the towns that concealed and protected the murderer, and set their own laws and us at defiance.

Three days were given him from the time of the interview, to comply with the demand. He promised to do what he could, but he was fearful of the result, as his people wanted to fight, and had been promised aid from many quarters.

On the third day, his messengers arrived at Apia, and brought word that the chiefs and people were determined that the murderer should not be given up or punished; that they defied the Papalangis and their power; and that, if Captain Hudson chose to come and take him, they would give him a fight. The messenger further stated, that they well knew he would be demanded according to their own regulations, but they would take care he should not be punished or given up, for they were prepared to resist any attempt that would be made. Many other insulting messages were received; among them, one from the murderer and his friends, that when "he could kill a few more white men, he would be given up."

Such were their threats and boasting: their conduct was conformable to them, as represented by our consul, the missionaries, and Mr. Cunningham, H. B. M. vice-consul. Captain Hudson now saw the necessity of taking some steps that would check this criminal and audacious spirit, and prove to the natives that we had the power to punish these aggressions on our citizens.

The attempt to take the chief was designed to bring them to terms, without any further difficulty; but not being successful, it was necessary to take some effectual measures for their punishment, particularly as the three towns had now united with their chiefs in setting our force at defiance. The missionaries also saw the necessity of doing something to insure the safety of those who may hereafter have communication with the natives, by renewing in their minds the fear of our power.

Notwithstanding the weather was so very unpropitious, the naturalists made excursions to the different parts of the island. They all describe the luxuriance of the vegetation as exceeding any thing they had before witnessed: the rich soil, combined with the heat and copious rains, rendered every spot fertile, and seemed to give new life to the vast variety of parasitic plants with which all the trees were covered, and which, in the groves, were so thick as to form masses impenetrable to the rays of the sun. A remarkable ficus was passed on this trip, of which Mr. Agate made a characteristic drawing, and which will give a good idea of their size and manner of growth: the road or path passes through its trunk. A number of other trees were remarkable: among them the "ife," a gigantic chestnut, with its projecting buttresses around the trunk. The woods were enlivened by many birds, and the air filled with their songs and chirpings.

At Siusinga, a devil's town, Messrs. Rich, Peale, and Agate, saw Seeovedi, better known as Joe Gimblet, the great priest of his creed. He lay on a mat by himself, no one speaking or going near him, and