There being at that time a number of turtles on the deck of the ship, the Indians who came on board were determined to get one of them; and expressed great disappointment and anger, when our people refused to comply with their wishes.

Several attempts were made by them to secure what they wanted by force; but all their efforts proving unsuccessful, they suddenly leaped into their canoe in a transport of rage, and paddled towards the shore.

The lieutenant, with Mr.Banks, and five or six of the ship's crew, immediately went into the boat, and got ashore, where many of the English were engaged in various employments.

As soon as the natives reached the land, they seized their arms, which had been laid up in a tree, and having snatched a brand from under a pitch-kettle that was boiling, made a circuit to the windward of the few things our people had on shore, and with surprising quickness and dexterity set on fire to the grass in that way.

The grass, which was as dry as stubble, and five or six feet high, burned with surprising fury; and a tent of Mr.Banks's would have been destroyed if that gentleman had not immediately got some of the men to save it, by hauling it down upon the beach.