The Polynesian., 1841-04-03

who were ready to assist IN treein, H..
selves from their dangerous neghboII "yp ~
terror which he had inspired, especially -. ~
the death of their companion, had b,I I"V
prevented them from making an effort "' :" .
rid of him; but they gladly availed thems.s
Of our preparations, and with the usual
pcndence of their character, were viGn'
do whatever example should dictate ,o M'.'
Having reason to believe that the sN;n,
was in the river, we commenced cpers,'
10y sinking nets, upright across its mo',.
three deep, at intervals of several feet ~ ~
nets, which were of great strength and y
tended for the capture Of the wild bus,
were fastened to trees on the banks msI,
fence to the communication with tba +,
My companion and myself placed o''
selves with our guns on either side Of !,
stream, while the Indians with Ion, l,.
boos, felt for the animal. For some ,r %
/ he refused to be disturbed; and we beO,n +,
fear that he was not within our limits VIII,
spiral motion of the water, under the ,,.
where was standing, led me to dircc, 4,
natives to it; and the creature SLOWLY mo,,
on the bottom towards the nets, whichhs =
sooner touched, than he quietly turned b,1
and proceeded up the stream. This mo,,
ment was several times repeated, till hay,,
40 rest in the enclosure, he a,,empted !
climb up the bank. On receiving ball ,
the body, he uttered growl like that Of :
angry dog, and pIunging into the wae
crossed to the other side, where he was =.
ceivcd with a similar salut.tion, dischso4
directly into his mouth. Finding hImal
attacked on every side, he renewed his n
tempts to ascend the banks; but wha,es
part of him appeared was bored with buIs,
and feeling that he was hunted, he forpaM
own formidable means of attack, and sou,1
only safety from the troubles which surrOu.
ed hilD.
A low spot which separated the river fo
the lake little above the nets. was u]
guarded, and we feared that he would s
ceed in escaping over it. 1t was here oil
cessary to stand firmly against him; and \
several attempts which he made to cross d
we turned him back with spears, bamboa
or whatever first came 10 hand. lie opr
seemed determined to force his way, foam
ing with rage, and rushed with open jaws
and gnashing his teeth with sound to-
ominous to be despised, appeared to have Ir
full energies aroused, when his career va
stopped by a large bamboo thrust volsntr
into his mouth, which he ground to pieces
and the fingers of the holder were so Tara.
yZed that, tor Some minutes he was ncat
bic of resuming his gun.
The natives had now become so eycia
as to forget all prudence, and the wcna
and children of the little hamlet had conf
down to the shore, to share in the seuct
They crowded to the openr:
and were so unmindiu Of their danger i4
1t was necessary to drive them back va
some violence. Had the monster known b,
own strength, and dared to have used it, ID
would have gone over the spot with ort
which no huian power could have withsioN
and would hav" crushed or carried with bio
INTO the lake about the whole population 4
the place.
1t Is not strange that personal safety vn
forgotten IN the excitement of the scene Il
The tremendous brute CALLED with wcuns
and rcpcnted defeat, tore his way thr I.
me ioamInS waters, gancing from sideo
SIDE IN The VAIN attempt to avoid his tCc
then rapidly ploughing up the Stream, h
grounded on the shadows. and turned back
frantic and bewildcred at his circllmscIlte
position, AT length, maddcncd with sufo
'ng and desperate with continued perscc'
Iion, lie rushed turiously to the mod
OF the stream, burst through two u
The nets, and threw down my gun in de-
SPAR, for il looked as thouoh his way n, laS|