I have already mentioned, that orders had been given to burn only a few straggling huts, which afforded shelter to the natives.  We were therefore a good deal surprised to see the whole village on fire; and before a boat, that was sent to stop the progress of the mischief, could reach the shore, the houses of our old and constant friends, the priests, were all in flames.  I cannot enough lament the illness that confined me on board this day.  The priests had always been under my protection; and unluckily the officers who were then on duty, having been seldom ashore at the morai, were not much acquainted with the circumstances of the place.  Had I been present myself, I might probably have been, the means of saving their little society from destruction.

Several of the natives were shot, in making their escape from the flames; and our people cut off the heads of two of them, and brought them on board.  The fate of one poor islander was much lamented by us all.  As he was coming to the well for water, he was shot at by one of the marines.  The ball struck his calibash, which he immediately threw from him and fled.  He was pursued into one of the caves I have before described, and no lion could have defended his den with greater courage and fierceness, till at last, after having kept two of our people at bay for a considerable time, he expired, covered with wounds.  It was this accident that first brought us acquainted with the use of these caverns.

At this time, an elderly man was taken prisoner, bound, and sent on board in the same boat with the heads of his two countrymen.  I never saw horror so strongly pictured, as in the face of this man, nor so violent a transition to extravagant joy, as when he was untied, and told he might go away in safety.  He shewed us he did not want gratitude, as he frequently afterward returned with presents of provisions, and also did us other services.

Soon after the village was destroyed, we saw, coming down the hill, a man, attended by fifteen or twenty boys, holding pieces of white cloth, green boughs, and plantains, &c. in their hands.  I know not how it happened, that this peaceful embassy, as soon as they were within reach, received the fire of a party of our men.  This, however, did not stop them.  They continued their procession, and the officer on duty came up in time to prevent a second discharge.  As they approached nearer, it was found to be our much-esteemed friend Kairekeea, who had fled on our first setting fire to the village, and had now returned, and desired to be sent on board the Resolution.