About two o'clock in the morning
In these treaties , however , there is one principal thing to be regarded , that neither party come beyond one another 's three poles or boughs ; so that the middle space is not only secure , but is also allowed as a market for traffic and commerce . When the truce is thus accepted , they stick up their javelins and lances at the first poles , and come on unarmed ; but if any violence is offered , away they run to their poles , take up their weapons , and then the truce is at an end . This evening it happened that a greater number of people than usual , both men and women , traded among us for such toys as we had , with such great civility , that we made us a little tent , of large boughs of trees , some of the men resolving to lie on shore all night ; but , for my part , I and some others took our lodging in the boat , with boughs of trees spread over it , having a sail spread at the bottom to lie upon . About two o'clock in the morning we were awakened by the firing of muskets , and our men crying out for help , or else they would all be murdered . Scarce had we time to get the boat ashore , when our men came plunging themselves into the water , with about four hundred of the islanders at their heels . We took up seven of the men , three of them very much wounded , and one left behind killed , while the enemy poured their arrows so thick among us , that we were forced to make a barricade , with boards lying at the side of the boat , to shield us from danger : and , having got ready our fire-arms , we returned them a volley , which wounded several of them , as we could hear by their cries . In this condition we lay till break of day , and then making signals of distress to the ship , which my nephew the captain heard and understood , he weighed anchor , & stood as near the shore as possible , and then sent another boat with ten hands in her to assist us ; but we called to them not to come near , informing them of our unhappy condition .