Advices from Sydney . to the 10th of April recount a
fresh outrage by the natives of New Caledonia. The Avon left Sydney for New Zealand, and thence proceeded to the South Sea Islands for a cargo of sandal-wood. The vessel anchored in the bay of New Caledonia, where the two boats' crews of the Van- guard were murdered and eaten about three months before. The master of the Avon was not aware of this, and he opened a trade with the islanders. The master of the bark Eleanor, which was lying some miles to windward, went on board the Avon and warned the commander of his peril. Two boats went ashore next day, with five men in each to fetch off wood promised by the natives; but the crews were warned to be on their guard, and if the least danger appeared to return to the ship. The savages behaved in so deceitful a way, that the men were induced to land and begin loading their boats with the wood; in the midst of which the islanders attacked them: the chief mate's hand was cut off, his cheek mutilated, and a rib broken, by blows from a tomahawk ; the second mate and three seamen were also more or leas mangled ; all, however, managed to get into the boats, and they regained the ship. It is supposed iliac some of the savages were killed in the fight. While this was going forward on shore, a canoe came alongside the Avon, and the men in it used various arts to get the crew at a disadvantage; but the master was wary; and at a signal frets hind the savages paddled away. A strong party from the Avon and the Eleanor afterwards landed on the beach for revenge; but none of the inhabitants could be found. A quantity of sandal-wood was carried off, and the huts and planta- tions were burnt.
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