Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/197

turn, as soon as they found him inclined to make off, and even attempted to strike him with their clubs: but he kept them at bay a long time, by presenting to the most forward a bad pistol, which he several times attempted to fire. Being now about seven hundred yards only from our ships, he fancied himself secure from any attempt on their part, when one of them laid open his skull with a club, and another threw a spear at his back. A great number of them fell upon him, and continued their blows till they thought he was dead. One of them tried repeatedly to shoot him with his own pistol, which they had seized, but fortunately the priming was gone. They were already dividing his clothes, when they were observed from the Esperance, and a cannon was immediately fired, the ball of which passed very near the assassins, and quickly dispersed them. We ran from all quarters to the assistance of the unfortunate smith. One of the crew, having come along the beach to his succour, was attacked by a native, who knocked out two of his teeth with his club; but the assault cost him his life, for he was instantly shot dead. Our smith was soon raised from the ground, and, though his head was laid open at the left frontal sinus to a considerable extent, and he had other very dangerous wounds,he