, and bitterly regretting that the queen had not, at the outset, made
a stand.
    In the house of the chief Adea, frequent discussions took place, concerning
the ability of the island to cope with the French: the number of fighting men
and muskets among the natives were talked of, as well as the propriety of
fortifying several heights overlooking Papeetee. Imputing these symptoms to the
mere resentment of a recent outrage, and not to any determined spirit of
resistance, I little anticipated the gallant, though useless warfare, so soon to
follow my departure.
    At a period subsequent to my first visit, the island, which before was
divided into nineteen districts, with a native chief over each, in capacity of
governor and judge, was, by Bruat, divided into four. Over these he set as many
recreant chiefs, Kitoti, Tati, Utamai, and Paraita; to whom he paid 1000 dollars
each, to secure their assistance in carrying out his evil designs.
    The first blood shed, in any regular conflict, was at Mahanar, upon the
peninsula of Taiarboo. The fight originated in the seizure of a number of women
from the shore, by men belonging to one of the French vessels of war. In this
affair, the islanders fought desperately, killing about fifty of the enemy, and
losing ninety of their own number. The French sailors and marines, who, at the
time, were reported to be infuriated with liquor, gave no quarter; and the
survivors only saved themselves by fleeing to the mountains. Subsequently, the
battles of Hararparpi and Fararar were fought, in which the invaders met with
indifferent success.
    Shortly after the engagement at Hararparpi, three Frenchmen were waylaid in
a pass of the valleys, and murdered by the incensed natives. One was Lefevre, a
notorious scoundrel, and a spy, whom Bruat had sent to conduct a certain Major
Fergus (said to be a Pole) to the hiding-place of four chiefs, whom the governor
wished to seize and execute. This circumstance violently inflamed the hostility
of both parties.
    About this time, Kitoti, a depraved chief, and the pliant tool of Bruat, was
induced by him to give a great feast in the Vale of Paree, to which all his
countrymen were invited. The governor's object was to gain over all he could to
his interests; he supplied an abundance of wine and brandy, and a scene of
bestial intoxication was the natural consequence. Before it came to this,
however, several speeches were made by the islanders. One of these, delivered by
an aged warrior, who had