These vigorous measures were, at length, successful.

On the 28th the deserters were brought back; and, as soon as they were on board, the three prisoners were released.

Our commander would not have acted so resolutely on the present occasion, had he not been peculiarly solicitous to save the son of a brother officer from being lost to his country.
While this affair was in suspense, some of the natives, from their anxiety on account of the confinement of the chief's relations, had formed a design of a very serious nature; which was no less than to seize upon the persons of Captain Clerke and Captain Cook.

With regard to Captain Clerke, they made no secret of speaking of their scheme, the day after it was discovered.

But their first and grand plan of operations was to lay hold of Captain Cook.