After some further conversation the chiefs and their followers retired, and Mr Brand advised all hands to set to work to fortify the hill where we were posted, and to bring up the greater part of the raft, and everything on it, to our fort.  When this was done, we made a small raft on which we could go off to the wreck, hoping to bring away everything of value before she went to pieces.  The natives watched our proceedings from a distance, but our fire-arms evidently kept them in awe, and prevented them from coming nearer.  As soon as they had completed the raft, three of the whaler's crew were eager to go off to the wreck; but Mr Brand advised them to wait till just before daylight the following morning, when they might hope to perform the trip without being perceived.  He warned them that the savages were especially treacherous, and could in no way be depended on.  Five or six of them, I think it was, laughed at him, and asking why they should fear a set of black savages, expressed their intention of going on board at once. Accordingly, carrying only a couple of muskets with them, they shoved off from the shore, and without much difficulty got up to the wreck.  It was then low-water, but the tide was rising.  We watched them on board, and then they disappeared below.  We waited anxiously to see them commence their return, but they did not appear.  "They have broken into the spirit-room, I fear," remarked Cousin Silas.  "If so, I fear that they will be little able to find their way back."  An hour passed away. We began to fear some disaster had befallen them.  While watching the wreck, we saw from behind a wooded point to the right a large canoe make its appearance, then another, and another, till a dozen were collected. It was too probable that some treachery was intended.  We fired three muskets in quick succession, in hopes of calling the attention of the seamen.  No sooner did the savages hear the sound of the fire-arms than they paddled away towards the wreck.  They had got nearly up to it, when the seamen came on deck, and stared wildly around them, making all sorts of frantic gestures.  Seeing the canoes, they fired their muskets at them, but hit no one; and then, throwing down their weapons on the deck, they doubled their fists, and with shouts of laughter struck out at their approaching enemies.  The savages hesitated a moment at the discharge of the muskets, but finding that they were not again fired at, they paddled on at a rapid rate, and getting alongside the vessel, swarmed in numbers on board.  We saw that the tipsy seamen who made a show of fighting were speedily knocked down, but what afterwards became of them we could not tell.  The savages were evidently eagerly engaged in plundering the ship, and hurriedly loaded their canoes with the things they collected.  They, of course, knew that the tide was rising, and that their operations might be speedily stopped.  Some of the canoes, deeply laden, had already shoved off, when we saw the remainder of the savages make a rush to the side of the vessel; bright flames burst forth from every hatchway; several loud reports were heard; then one louder than the rest, and the ill-fated ship, and all who remained on board, were blown into the air!