'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎230] (339/496)

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defeat experienced in their wars with other tribes. This I think might in a
measure account for such wholesale destruction of human lives, as I can
not bring myself to believe that any set of men, however savage, could
commit such cold-blooded massacre without some superstition to urge
them on. The skulls were about forty in number, and were carefully
examined by our Surgeon, Mr. Hughes, who pronounced the greater
part to be those of Europeans. They all bore the marks of extreme vio
lence, many being dreadfully fractured, as if by the repeated blows of
some heavy blunt instrument, such as a club ; and one we particularly
observed, had light brown or flaxen hair still adhering to the bones, and
was apparently that of a European female. The Isabella conveyed
them to Sydney, and, as I subsequently learnt, had them all interred in
consecrated ground; and a handsome monument, I believe, bearing a suit
able inscription, is now erected over them.
The relation of this horrible massacre shows how necessary it is, in all
intercourse with savages, to be guarded and circumspect in our actions
and behaviour towards them. They are naturally wily, cunning, and
treacherous, and therefore on no account ought to be trusted: had
the crew of the Charles Eaton paid no attention to such a profession
of friendship as the natives exhibited in this instance, or had they taken
the precaution of keeping a watch, perhaps this deadful tragedy would
never have been enacted: they could well have defended themselves, for
they had arms and cutlasses ; and a few rounds of musketry on the first
onset would, in all probability, have sent these miserable savages flying
like cowards from the field of intended slaughter, and I have no doubt
the whole of them would speedily have abandoned the isle.
Captain Lewis and the crew of the Isabella, when they found the
skulls of their poor Christian brethren piled up, could scarcely contain
their anger: summary punishment was at once sworn to be inflicted upon
these cannibals, should they fall in with them, but, although a strict
search was made, none were to be seen—the place had evidently been re
cently deserted on the first sight of the vessel, as fires were still burning
near some sheds. However, they wreaked their vengeance by cutting down
the trees, burning the huts, and destroying everything that would prove
useful, so that the whole spot was rendered waste. This I think was ra
ther an injudicious step, as it might make these savages more desperate
and merciless should Europeans unfortunately ever again fall into then
hands.
The anchorage of Murray’s Island is on the north or leeward side,