doubtful, since the hostile chief possessed many more canoes than the
young king did. It was to neutralize this disadvantage that our
services were required.

Now the "Arms of Amsterdam" was a more powerful vessel than the
"Endraght", mounting four guns, so we had little doubt but that we
would be able to render valuable assistance to the young king in the
defence of his country, and having pledged ourselves to support him we
returned to our ship, well pleased with our adventure.

Next day the beating of war drums and much commotion ashore announced
the approach of the enemy fleet, and having loaded our cannon we stood
out to meet them. Twenty war canoes belonging to the king, each
containing 100 men armed with spears and clubs, put off to take part in
the battle. They were far outnumbered, however, by the hostile fleet,
which now approached. At the sight of our ship the oncoming war canoes
appeared to hesitate, and for some minutes ceased rowing, but presently
they advanced again in the form of a crescent, evidently intending by
their superior line of battle to surround us. We were now midway
between the opposing fleets, and when the enemy canoes were well within
range Hartog delivered a broadside, which had the most remarkable
effect ever witnessed in a naval engagement. Not wishing to kill the
natives if it could be avoided, since the quarrel was not ours, Hartog
directed that the first broadside should be fired over the heads of the
advancing savages, but the result was the same as if we had sunk or
crippled the hostile fleet. At the flash and sound of the cannon, with
black smoke rolling across the water towards them, the savages turned
and fled, driving their canoes back to the place whence they had come
at a pace which sent the foam flying from the paddles. But the most
unexpected part of our interference was that the savages on board the