nov. 4th.—yesterday, stormy. today two islanders fixed a small stick in the ground at low water with a piece of paper attached to it. i sent my writer for it; the following is a free translation:--"this for all to see. you are engaged in a contraband trade, a trade severely punished by our respective countries. your vessels that come here are too much given to disturbances. you have been here already ten days. you have dared to cut wood on a sacred islet with a temple on it, rendering us liable to tempests. your guilt is very great indeed. as we have none who after the wood, you have taken it in a thievish manner. you are all a set of thieves. you indeed are a desperate set. one of our military officials will come with a thousand men, who will do battle with you and slay you. but now we are willing to make it up and not report it. you must believe this document. the other day you snatched away a vessel; you must return it, and then we will not entertain hostile feelings toward you. be quick, be quick."