The pilot spoke to him and in a few words
informed him that Blogg, the master, had been pitched into the sea,
and explained in what manner he proposed to arrest the four seamen.
McDonnell understood, and agreed to the plan at once. He called to
the mate in a loud voice, and said: "I am sorry to hear that you
have lost the master of this vessel. I live at that house you see on
the rising ground, and I keep a list in a book of all vessels that
come into the river, and the names of the crews. It is a mere
formality, and won't take more than five minutes. So you will oblige
me, mate, by coming ashore with your men at once, as I am in a hurry,
and have other business to attend to." He then went ashore in his
boat. The mate and seamen followed in the ship's boat, and waited in
front of the Additional Resident's house. He had a visitor that
morning, the Pakeha Maori, Laming.
The men had not to wait long, as it was not advisable to give them
much time to think and grow suspicious. McDonnell came to the front
door and called the mate, who went inside, signed his name,
re-appeared directly, called Secker, and entered the house with him.
The Additional Resident was sitting at a table with the signature
book before him. He rose from the chair, told Secker to sit down,
gave him a pen, and pointed out the place where his name was to be
signed.
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