Having now but little work to do, I confined myself to the hut as much as possible, for I had been observed for some time in a very suspicious manner. In a few days I was informed that Hussey had been brought to the Island, and it was immediately suggested to my anxious mind, that we were now to be sacrificed. Ludjuan went with me to see Hussey, but we were only allowed a few moments conversation, when I was taken back to the hut, and communicated my fears to my old mistress, who sympathized with me, but said if the chiefs had determined it, there was no hope for me. I now was made acquainted with the cause of their dislike, which was no less than a superst.i.tious idea, that we were the cause of a malady, then raging to considerable extent!
This disease consisted in the swelling of the hands and feet, and in many instances the faces of the youth swelled to such a degree, that they were blind for a number of days. Such a disease they had never before been afflicted with. I had now an opportunity of most solemnly protesting my total inability to injure them in this way, and as the disease had as yet caused no death, I had a hope of being spared. I learned that a majority of the chiefs in council, were for putting me to death, but one of them in particular, protested against it, fearing it might be the cause of some worse calamity. As the vote to carry into effect any great measure, must be unanimous, this chief was the means by his dissenting, of saving my life.
The afflicted began to recover, and my fears were greatly lessened; but as these people are of a very unstable and changeful character, I could not entirely divest myself of apprehensions.
As soon as the harvest was completed, great preparations were made for the embarkation of the chiefs, who were going to make their annual visit to the different Islands. They told me that the King, whom they called La-boo-woole-yet, lived on an Island at the N. W. and if he did not receive his yearly present of preserved bread fruit and _pero_, he would come with a great party to fight them. Twelve canoes were put in the water, each one carrying a part of the provisions, and manned by about two hundred persons.
After an absence of four or five days, during which time we exchanged civilities with numerous chiefs, we returned to _Milly_, and hauled up the canoes. I now learned that the princ.i.p.al chief, had said that it would have been wrong to kill me, firmly believing that the disease with which they had been afflicted, had been sent by their G.o.d, as a punishment for having killed Payne and the others! The malady having now entirely disappeared, they considered that crime as expiated!
About two days after my return, there was great excitement, in consequence of the appearance of a ship! Seeing the natives were very much displeased at the circ.u.mstance, I concealed as well as I could, the gladdening emotions which filled my breast; and, surrounded by about three hundred of them, went round a point of land, when I distinctly saw a ship standing for the land. The displeasure of the natives increased, they demanded to know where she came from, how many men she had in her, &c. I was compelled to tell them that she was not coming to get me, and even pretended to be afraid of her approach, which pleased them much, as they appeared determined I should never leave them. At dusk she was so near the land, that I saw them shorten sail, and fondly antic.i.p.ated the hour of my deliverance as not far distant.
During the night, sleep was a stranger to me, and with the most anxious emotions did I antic.i.p.ate a welcome reception on board, and above all, a happy and joyful landing on my native sh.o.r.e. In the morning, Ludjuan went with me to the beach, but alas! no ship was in sight. She had vanished, and with her had fled all my hopes of a speedy deliverance. The kind reader can perhaps form some idea of my disappointment.
The natives continued to be kind to me, and I was often complimented by them for my knowledge of their language; and the appearance of my person had very much improved, my hair and beard being long, and my skin turned nearly as black as their own! I was often importuned to have my ears bored and stretched, but never gave my consent, which much surprised them, it being a great mark of beauty. They begin at the age of four years, and perforate the lower part of the ear, with a sharp pointed stick; and as the ear stretches, larger ones are inserted, until it will hang nearly to their shoulders! The larger the ear, the more beauty the person possesses!
About a fortnight after I saw the ship pa.s.s, Hussey came with his master, on a visit. His disappointment was great, and we could only cheer each other, by hoping for the best, and wait patiently the pleasure of Heaven.
Hussey again left me, but we parted under less bodings of evil than before, for the kindness of the natives began to increase, and their suspicions to be allayed.
I will here acquaint the reader with some of the means that I was induced to make use of, to satisfy the cravings of appet.i.te. As the Island now was in a state of almost entire famine, my daily subsistence not amounting to more (upon an average) than the substance of one half a cocoanut each day. The chief I lived with, having several cocoanut trees that he was very choice of, and which bore plentifully; I would frequently, (after the natives in the hut were all soundly asleep) take the opportunity and get out of the hut unperceived, and climb one of those trees, (being very careful about making the least noise, or letting any of them drop to the ground, whereby I might be detected,) and take the stem of one cocoanut in my mouth, and one in each hand, and in that manner make out to slide down the tree, and would then (with my prize) make the best of my way to a bunch of bushes, at a considerable distance from the hut, where I would have a sumptuous repast; and if any remained, would secrete them, until by hunger, I was drove to the necessity of revisiting that place.
I made a practice of this for some time, until the chief began to miss his cocoanuts, and keep such watch, that I, for fear of being detected, was obliged to relinquish that mode of satisfying my appet.i.te.
A short time after this, I ventured to take a cocoanut off the ground where the natives had recently buried a person; a deed which is strictly against the laws of their religious principles, (if it can be said that they have any,) and a deed which the natives never dare to do, for fear of displeasing their G.o.d (Anit) under a certain length of time after the person had been buried, and then, the spot is only to be approached by males.
Not twenty-four hours had elapsed after I took the cocoanut, before they missed it, and coming immediately to me, charged me with having taken it, telling me that not a native on the Island would have dared so much as to handle it, for fear of the bad spirit, (Anit.)
I then told them that I had taken it, but pleading ignorance in the case, and promising never to do any thing of the like again, and making it appear to them that I was surprised at what they told me of the bad spirit, and also that I believed the same, they left me, after telling me that if I ever handled another of them, it would not only bring sickness and death upon myself, but would bring it upon the whole Island.
The reader will naturally suppose, that my mind was considerably relieved on their leaving me so soon, fearing that something serious might be the result.
After this I was very careful how I did any thing that I thought would in the least displease, or irritate them, and made myself content with the portion they saw fit to give me.
I frequently fired a musket to please them, by their request; and told them if they would let me have some powder, I would fire off the swivel, left by the Globe. They consented, and collected in great numbers, and after I had loaded the gun with a heavy charge, I told them they had better stand back. They said I must set her on fire, and tell them when she was going off, and they would run! I however, touched her off, when they instantly fell on their faces in the greatest panick. When their fears had subsided, they set up howling and yelling with ecstacy!
They said, if they should have a battle, I must carry that gun with me, which would alone vanquish their enemies!
We were visited by eight or ten canoes, from a distant Island, called Alloo. They came to exchange presents with our chiefs, and very soon a great quant.i.ty of _pero_, &c. was baked, and having been inspected by the chiefs, to see that it was in a proper state to be presented to their visitors, it was given them to eat.
As these people had never seen me before, I was much annoyed by them.
During their stay, I was constantly surrounded; my skin felt of, and often became the sport of the more witty, because my skin was not of so dark a hue as their own, and more especially, as my _ears_ remained in the same form, as when nature gave them to me. These visitors, to my great satisfaction, did not remain long with us.
Their mode of anchoring their canoes is singular. One of them takes the end of a line, and diving to the bottom, secures it to a rock; and in the same way do they dive down to cast it off. I have seen them do this in five fathoms of water.
CHAPTER VI.
It was not until the 23d of December, 1825, that the prospects of being relieved from my disagreeable situation began to brighten.
Early in the morning of that day, I was awakened by a hooting and yelling of the natives, who said, a vessel had anch.o.r.ed at the head of the Island. They seemed alarmed, and I need not a.s.sure the reader, that my feelings were of a contrary nature. Their G.o.d was immediately consulted, as to the measures to pursue; but as I was not allowed to be present when he was invoked, I cannot say what was the form of this ceremony, except that cocoanut leaves were used. Their G.o.d, however, approved the plan, which was, that they should go to the vessel, or near her, and swim on board, a few at a time, until two hundred were on board, and then a signal was to be given, when they were to throw the persons on board into the water, and kill them. Two large canoes which would carry fifty men each, were put in readiness, but at first they refused to let me accompany them, fearing that I would inform of their having killed our men, and they would be punished. I a.s.sured them that the vessel, having but two masts, did not belong to my nation, and I was certain I could not speak their language.
They at length consented for me to go. We arrived within a few miles of the vessel at night, and early the following morning, were joined by a number of canoes, which made in all two hundred men. It being squally in the forenoon, we remained where we were, but when it cleared up, the yells of the Indians announced the approach of the vessel. I had only time to see that it was really an armed schooner, when I was secreted with their women, about forty in number, in a hut near the sh.o.r.e, and the women had orders to watch me close, that I did not get away.
A boat at this time from the schooner, was seen approaching the sh.o.r.e.
She landed at about a hundred yards distant from where I was confined; but it being near night, I soon found she was making the best of her way towards the schooner. Night came, and I was sent for by the princ.i.p.al chief, and questioned closely concerning the schooner. My fears and apprehensions were now excited to a degree beyond human expression, and the kind reader will pardon all attempts to express them.
The natives seeing the whites so bold, excited in them a fear which induced them to flee the Island. Accordingly, about midnight, the canoes were launched, and I was carried to a remote part of the Island, a distance of about 40 miles, where I remained until my fortunate escape.
29th. Early in the morning, we discovered a boat under sail, standing directly for the place where we were; the natives were considerably agitated with fear, and engaged in planning some method by which to overcome the people in the boat, if they should come where we were; and, as I expected, the natives would hide me, as they had heretofore done, I thought it best to offer my services to a.s.sist them--I said I would aid them in fighting the boat"s crew--and that, as I could talk with them, I would go to them, in advance of the natives, deceive the crew, and prevail on them to come on sh.o.r.e and sit down, and for us to appear friendly till in possession of their arms, then rise upon the crew and kill them without difficulty or hazard. Some of the natives suspected that I should revolt to the other party, and turn the current of destruction on them; but the chief Luttuon said he liked my plan much, and would inquire of their G.o.d, and if he found that I should be true to them, my plan should be adopted. The inquiry resulted in favor of my plan, and they said I might go. The boat was now within one hundred rods of the sh.o.r.e, and Luttuon called me to him, oiled my head and body with cocoanut oil, and gave me my charge how to conduct. I pledged myself to obey his orders. My joy at this moment was great, as the boat anch.o.r.ed near where we were. I went to the beach, accompanied by about one hundred of the smartest natives, whom I charged not to manifest a hostile appearance. I hailed the boat in English, and told the crew what the calculations of the natives were, and not to land unless they were well armed. The officer of the boat replied that he would be among them directly; and in a few minutes they landed, (13 men and 2 officers,) and when within a rod of us, I ran to Lieut. H. Paulding, who took me by the hand, asked if I was one of the Globe"s crew, and inquired my name, &c. &c. We then retreated to the boat, facing the natives, who all kept their seats, excepting the one I called father, who came down among us, and took hold of me to carry me back, but desisted on having a pistol presented to his breast.
Lieut. Hiram Paulding, of the Navy, for such was the name of this gentlemanly officer, informed me that the vessel, was the U. S.
Schooner Dolphin, sent on purpose to rescue us, and commanded by Lieut. Com"t. John Percival.
After expressing my grat.i.tude as well as I was able, to Heaven, which had furnished the means of my deliverance, I acquainted Mr. Paulding, that the only survivor of the Globe, except myself, was Cyrus M.
Hussey; who was held in bondage upon a neighbouring Island. After the boat"s crew had taken some refreshment, we left the landing place, and soon arrived at the place where Hussey lived. The natives had concealed him, but after some threatenings from us, restored him, and we were received on board of the Dolphin, and treated in the most kind and hospitable manner.
Our hair was now cut, and we were shaved. Our appearance must have been truly ludicrous, our hair having been growing twenty-two months, untouched by the razor or scissors.
Our joy and happiness on finding ourselves on board an _American Man-of-War_, and seeing "the star spangled banner," once more floating in the air, we will not attempt to describe. Suffice it to say, that none can form a true estimate of our feelings, except it be those who have been suddenly and unexpectedly rescued from pain and peril, and threatening death. In the afternoon the Captain wished me to go on sh.o.r.e with him, as an interpreter. We accordingly went, and pa.s.sed over to the village on the other side of the Island, where we had an interview with a woman of distinction, (the men having fled, being princ.i.p.ally absent with the chiefs at Alloo.) The captain informed her he wished to see the chiefs, and requested her to send for them that night, that he might visit them in the morning, and make them some presents. We then returned to the vessel; and the following day, Dec.
1st, went on sh.o.r.e for the purpose of seeing the chiefs, but could not obtain an interview with them. The captain informed the natives that he must see the chiefs, and that he would wait another day, but if disappointed then, he should be compelled to use coercive means. They immediately sent another messenger after them, and we returned on board, accompanied by several of the natives, among whom was Ludjuan.
The captain made him several presents, and informed him they were given as a compensation for saving my life. Shortly after, the natives went on sh.o.r.e.
The next morning, Dec. 2d, the captain sent me on sh.o.r.e, to ascertain whether the chiefs had returned, and I was informed by the natives that they had, and were then at a house half a mile distant. This intelligence having been communicated to the captain, he went on sh.o.r.e, and took myself and Hussey for interpreters; but we found on our arrival, that the natives had been practising a piece of deception--the chiefs not having returned. Very much displeased at this perfidious treatment, the captain made a demand of the chiefs before sunset, threatening, if it were not complied with, to go on sh.o.r.e with fifty men, well armed, and destroy every person he could find. This threat threw the natives into consternation, and immediately another messenger was despatched for the chiefs. The natives were so alarmed, that they soon sent off three or four more messengers; and we returned on board to dine. After dinner, I went on sh.o.r.e with Mr. Paulding, the first Lieutenant, and some of the under officers, for the purpose of shooting birds. After rambling round the Island for some time, we discovered a number of natives quickly approaching us from the lower part of the Island; and supposing the chiefs were with them, we sat down to await their arrival; but before they came to us, a signal was set on board the schooner, for us to return, which was immediately obeyed, without waiting for an interview with the natives. Early on the next morning, I was sent ash.o.r.e to ascertain whether the chiefs had arrived, and soon found that they had, and were in a hut, waiting to receive a visit from the captain, who, I informed them, would come on sh.o.r.e after breakfast, to have a _talk_ with them, and also to bestow some presents. Accordingly, the captain, with myself and Hussey, repaired to the hut, where we found them sitting, and ready to commune with us.
The captain told them he had been sent out by the _Head Chief_ of his country, to look for the men that had been left there by the ship Globe--that he had been informed they murdered all but two--that, as it was their first offence of the kind, their ignorance would plead an excuse--but if they should ever kill or injure another white man, who was from any vessel or wreck, or who might be left among them, our country would send a naval force, and exterminate every soul on the Island; and also destroy their fruit trees, provisions, &c. and that if they would always treat white men kindly, they never would receive any injury from them, but would have their kindness and hospitality reciprocated. He also adverted to the practice of stealing, lying, and other immoralities; stating to the natives that these crimes are abhorred and punished in our country; and that murder is punished with death. He then sent me to the boat, lying at the beach, to bring three tomahawks, one axe, a bag of beads, and a number of cotton handkerchiefs, which were presented to the chiefs. He also gave them two hogs, and a couple of cats, with injunctions not to destroy them, that they might multiply. The captain caused potatoes, corn, pumpkins, and many valuable seeds to be planted, and gave the natives instructions how to raise and preserve them. He then explained to them that these acts of kindness and generosity were extended, because they saved us alive, and had taken care of us while among them. This conversation with the natives being ended, we went on board, dined, and the captain and Hussey went again on sh.o.r.e. The first Lieutenant made preparations for cruising in the launch, round the Island, to make topographical surveys, who took me with him, as interpreter, and about 4 o"clock, we commenced a cruise with a design to sail up an inlet or inland sea; but the wind blowing fresh, and having a head sea, at 12 o"clock we anch.o.r.ed for the night.
Dec. 4th. At sunrise, we found ourselves not more than a mile from the place where we crossed over the evening before; and immediately getting under weigh, and rowing to the westward, we soon came to the place where the Globe"s station had been; anch.o.r.ed, and went on sh.o.r.e, for the purpose of disinterring the bones of Comstock, who had been buried there, and to obtain a cutla.s.s, which was buried with him; but before we had accomplished the undertaking, the schooner got under weigh, and soon anch.o.r.ed abreast of us, at the same place where the Globe"s provisions were landed. The captain and Hussey immediately came on sh.o.r.e to view the place; but as I caught cold the preceding night, by lying exposed in our launch, I was excused from serving further with Mr. Paulding in making surveys, and Hussey supplied my place. Soon after, I went on board with the captain, carrying with me the skull of the person we had dug up, and the cutla.s.s, intending to convey them to America.
After dinner, the captain made a trip in the gig, to Alloo, taking me for his interpreter, where we arrived in half an hour, and soon travelled up to the village. The natives received us with marks of gladness, and in a short time the house at which we stopped was surrounded by them, who came undoubtedly for the purpose of gratifying their curiosity, by gazing at us. We remained at the village about two hours, during which time we had considerable talk with two of the chief women, and made some small presents to the people, such as beads, &c. They did not treat us as they usually do visitors, with fruit, &c. there being at that time what we call a famine, which in their language, is Ingathah.
After having taken leave of the natives, and walked about half the distance to the sh.o.r.e, we stopped to refresh ourselves under a fine cool shade. While in conversation on the manners and customs of the natives, an old man and woman approached us, who had acted towards me, during my residence among them, as father and mother. I immediately made them and their kindness to me known to the captain, who, in consideration of their humane treatment, rewarded them with a few beads and a handkerchief, for which they appeared thankful and grateful--telling them at the same time, the presents were to recompense their hospitality to me, and enjoining on them at all times to be friendly to the whites, and a reward would certainly await them.
It being near the close of the day, we left Alloo, and having a fair wind, reached the schooner before dark.
The next morning, Dec. 5th, being very pleasant, all hands were employed in procuring wood for the schooner--some in cutting it down, and others in boating it off. Our carpenter had been engaged for a few days, at Milly; to instruct and a.s.sist the natives in repairing a canoe. The distance was four or five miles, and the captain wanting the carpenter, set sail for Milly in his gig, and soon arrived there; where he learned that the carpenter had repaired the canoe, to the great satisfaction of the natives, who expressed a strong desire that he might be permitted to remain among them on the Island; but the captain informed them he could not spare him. When the natives saw the carpenter packing up his tools, they expressed to me an expectation that the tools would be left with them as a present. We left the natives, and reached the schooner a little before sunset; the captain feeling anxious for the fate of the launch, as nothing yet had been heard of the fortune which had attended her, or the men in her.
Dec. 6th. Having procured a sufficient supply of wood, though our supply of provisions was hardly sufficient for the voyage, and the launch having returned, at about 10 A. M. we weighed anchor and proceeded to the place called Milly, where we anch.o.r.ed for the purpose of planting some seeds, and taking a last farewell of the chiefs and their people. The captain went immediately on sh.o.r.e, taking Hussey for his interpreter. He was gone till nearly night, when he returned, bringing with him _Luttuon_ and several other natives. The captain gave orders to beat to quarters, to exhibit the men to the natives, and explain to them the manner of our fighting. Those untutored children of nature, seemed highly gratified with the manoeuvres, but were most delighted with the music, probably the first of the kind they ever heard. We informed them we always have such music when we are fighting an enemy. The natives were then landed, and we immediately made sail for the head of the Island, intending to cruise around the other sh.o.r.es of it, for the purpose of making surveys, and constructing a map of it. We stood eastward till nearly morning, then altered our course and headed towards the Island.
During the following day, Dec. 7th, having favorable winds and weather, we made a regular survey of the whole length of the groupe, before sunset.--The captain now steered N. W. to endeavour to discover other Islands which the natives had often described to me, during my abode with them. They said they had frequently visited ten or twelve different Islands in their canoes, and that the people who inhabit them, all speak the same language, which is the same as their own, and that the Islands lie about one day"s sail from each other.
Dec. 8. The weather pleasant and fair; about 9 o"clock, A. M. we saw land ahead, and pa.s.sed it on the windward side, then varied our course and sailed to the leeward of the Island; but night coming on, we were obliged to defer landing till morning. The captain then attempted to reach the sh.o.r.e in the gig, but was not able to land, on account of the surf. After he returned on board, we made sail, cruising farther to the leeward, in hopes of finding a place to anchor, but in this we were disappointed, not being able to find bottom thirty yards from the rocks. However, at high water, the captain, at imminent hazard in pa.s.sing the surf, succeeded in landing. He had previously given orders to me and Hussey, not to let the natives know that we could converse with, or understand them, but to be attentive to every thing that might pa.s.s among them, to ascertain whether their intentions and dispositions were hostile or friendly. After landing, the captain and Hussey visited the house where the head chief, or king of all those Islands lived, of whom I had formerly heard so much, while I was on the Mulgraves.--They continued with him about two hours, were treated well, and discovering nothing unfriendly in the natives, the captain told Hussey he might make them acquainted with his knowledge of their language, by conversing with them. The king, on hearing Hussey speaking in the language of the natives, appeared at first so frightened and agitated, that he could scarcely reply; but by degrees became composed, and inquired of Hussey where he learned their language, and why he had not spoken to them immediately on coming ash.o.r.e. Hussey then informed him he was one of the two persons that had been on the Mulgraves, (in their language, Milly,) and that the other person (myself) was on board the schooner--that the schooner had been there after us, that we left the Mulgraves the day before, and had then visited that Island for the purpose of examining it, &c. &c.
The king had long before heard of our being at the Mulgraves, and told Hussey he had been repairing his canoe, in order to go to those Islands, with a view to induce us to live with him, who, had that been the case, would undoubtedly have used us well. The king was about 70 years of age, and had a daughter on the Island where we had resided, wife to Luttuon. He inquired if his daughter was alive and well, with tears in his eyes and trembling form, for it was a long time since he had received any intelligence of her; and hearing of her welfare so unexpectedly, quite overcame the good old father"s feelings. And here the reader will observe, that the pure and unaffected emotions produced by parental affection, are similar among all the human species, whether civilized or savage. The natives of the Island we were then visiting, may be ranked with those that have made the fewest approaches towards the refined improvements of enlightened nations, yet the ground work of humanity was discovered to be the same; and the solicitude of a fond father for a beloved child, was manifested in a manner which would not disgrace those who move in the most elevated circles of civilized life. The old king expressed his regret that he had not visited the Mulgraves during our stay there, was very sorry we were about to return to America, and used all the force of native eloquence, to persuade us to continue with him. He inquired if we had got the whale boat he had heard of our having at the Mulgraves. Hussey informed him it was on board the schooner, and the swivel likewise.
The captain then informed the king that he wanted cocoanuts and bup, which were obtained; and in return, the captain gave the natives some beads and handkerchiefs. The captain then went on board the schooner, made sail, standing a N. W. course, in pursuit of another Island.
Dec 9th. About 10 o"clock in the forenoon, we discovered land ahead and off our lee bow. About 2 o"clock, P. M. we arrived near the land, hove the schooner to, and sent two boats ash.o.r.e, to get provisions. At sunset the boats returned, loaded with cocoanuts and bup. We hoisted up our boats, and with a strong breeze, it being the inclement season of the year, prosecuted our voyage to the Sandwich Islands, & had much boisterous weather during the pa.s.sage.
On Jan. 8th, 1826, we expected to make one of the Sandwich Islands, called Bird"s Island, but night came on before we discovered it. But early on the following morning, we saw land about four leagues to the leeward, and bore down to the Island for the purpose of sending a boat ash.o.r.e, to kill seals.--We arrived near the landing place, hove to, and the captain with six men went ash.o.r.e in the whale boat. We now stood off from the sh.o.r.e for about an hour, then tacked and stood in, for the boat to come off. The wind had increased to almost a gale, and continuing to blow harder, when we were within a quarter of a mile of the Island, not discovering any thing of the boat, we veered off again, and continued tacking till night came on, but saw nothing of the boat or her crew. About 9 or 10 o"clock, the wind abated, and we found ourselves two leagues to the leeward of the Island, where we lay to all night under easy sail, anxiously waiting for the approach of morning, in hopes then to learn the fate of the captain and men who had gone on sh.o.r.e. At length the horizon was lighted by the dawn of day, which was succeeded by the opening of a very pleasant morning. We immediately made all sail for the Island, but having a head wind, we did not arrive at the landing till near the middle of the day. A boat was sent on sh.o.r.e to learn what had befallen the crew of the whale boat, and shortly returned with all the men except the captain and one man that could not swim. We ascertained, that in attempting to come off through the surf, they were swamped and lost their boat. We a second time sent the boat ash.o.r.e with means to get the captain and other man, who were soon brought on board. We now made sail and steered our course for Woahoo, one of the Sandwich Islands, and nothing very material occurring on our pa.s.sage, we anch.o.r.ed in the harbour of that Island on the 14th. On the 16th procured a supply of fresh provisions. On the 19th, Hussey and myself went on sh.o.r.e for the purpose of rambling round the Island, but nothing occurred worthy of notice.