MR. WATSON’S PROCEEDINGS AT TIMOR LAUT.

Mr. Watson had not been off the island long before his vessel, the schooner Essington, was surrounded by eleven armed canoes, for the purpose of attack.  The chief wished Mr. Watson to go in and anchor, which he refused, but showed him that he was ready for defence in case of any outrage on their part.  The chief, thinking he could entrap him, made signs of friendship, and Mr. Watson allowed him and his crew to come on board.  The chief then said that a white man was on shore, and wished the master to go and fetch him off, which was refused.  Mr. Watson then laid out an immense quantity of merchandise, which he said he would give for the white man, and desired the chief to send his canoe ashore to fetch him; stating, however, that he would retain him on board till the white man came, and also, that if he was not immediately brought, he would either hang or shoot the chief, and he had rope prepared for the purpose, as also a gun.  This manoeuvre had the desired effect on the chief, who immediately despatched his canoe to the shore.  For three days and nights Mr. Watson was compelled to cruise off the island, the natives still refusing to bring off Forbes.  Towards the close of the third day they brought off the boy, but would not put him on board until Mr. Watson placed the rope round the chief’s neck, when they came alongside; and as the crew of the Essington were hoisting Forbes up the side of the vessel, the chief jumped overboard into his canoe.  Mr. Watson made the chief come on board again, and told him that although he had deceived and wished to entrap him, yet he would show that the white men were as good as their word; and not only gave the chief the promised wares, but also distributed some to each of the other ten canoes.  This line of conduct had a very good effect on the natives, who after receiving the goods expressed great joy, and as they were leaving kept up a constant cheer.  Forbes at first appeared in a savage state, but after a short time, stated the following particulars relative to the loss of the Stedcombe, and the massacre of the crew:  The Stedcombe, Mr. Barns, master, arrived off the coast in the year 1823.  Mr. Barns* having left her in charge of the mate, he and two or three others went ashore at Melville Island.

(Footnote.  When at Sydney, in 1838, I met Mr. Barns, who corroborated Forbes’s account.  J.L.S.)

The mate ran her into Timor Laut, and anchored; he then went ashore with the crew, leaving the steward, Forbes, and another boy, on board.  After they had been ashore a short time, Forbes looked through a telescope to see what they were about, when he saw that the whole of the crew were being massacred by the natives.  He immediately communicated that fact to the steward, and advised him to unshackle the anchor, and run out to sea, as the wind was from the land.  The steward told him to go about his business, and when he got on deck he found the vessel