The following extract of a letter from Lahaina, Sandwich Islands, gives you an account of a most horrible occurrence which recently happened at a neighbouring island, dated March 22: -

"You will have heard from Captain GREEN, of the Ontario, that three men deserted form him last Friday night. To-day two of them returned; they were brought to the United States Consulate Agency, and made one of the most horrible statements I ever heard.

They, as they say, hired a boat of three natives on Friday eve, and started for Hawaii. There were three in the boat, viz.: Walter G. PIKE, of New Windsor, Orange County, New York, Robert McCARTY, New York City; and Jacob Von CLIEF, belonging to Middleton Point, New Jersey, the latter a coloured man. They pulled all Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, and their nights, and became exhausted, and were unable to pull any longer.

On Tuesday they drifted on the rocks at Lanai, and having been without food and fresh water the whole time, and having drank salt water, they were in a state of starvation. They were not able to get up the pali (precipice), and agreed to cast lots to see who should die for the benefit of the other two.

The lot fell on VON CLIEF, who was killed by blows on his head with a stone; they then cut his arm and his throat, and drank his blood; after which they cut a piece from his right arm and ate it. After they became strengthened the got up the pali, and met with some natives, who gave them food, and brought them across the island, and to this place in canoes.

The natives have been examined, and confirm the statement made by the men. The dead body was found as they described, and buried by them. The Governor will send to Lanai to-morrow for the woman they first saw after landing, and for the remains of the boat."

We are informed by a letter that these men were subsequently tried for murder, and acquitted; and subsequently tried for stealing the boat, and fined 80 dollars and costs. Having no means of paying the fine, they were working it out on the public roads.