the natives were sometimes collected at the beach, it
was impossible to form any accurate computation of their number; as the
continual resort of visitors from other islands, mixing with them, might
easily mislead one. However, as there was never, to appearance, above a
thousand persons collected at one time, it would, perhaps, be sufficient
to allow double that number for the whole island.

To the N. and N.E. of Annamooka, and in the direct track to Hepaee,
whither we were now bound, the sea is sprinkled with a great number of
small isles. Amidst the shoals and rocks adjoining to this group, I
could not be assured that there was a free or safe passage for such
large ships as ours, though the natives sailed through the intervals in
their canoes. For this substantial reason, when we weighed anchor from
Annamooka, I thought it necessary to go to the westward of the above
islands, and steered N.N.W., toward Kao[159] and Toofoa, the two most
westerly islands in sight, and remarkable for their great height.
Feenou, and his attendants, remained on board the Resolution till near
noon, when he went into the large sailing canoe, which had brought him
from Tongataboo, and stood in amongst the cluster of islands above
mentioned, of which we were now almost abreast; and a tide or current
from the westward had set us, since our sailing in the morning, much
over toward them.

[Footnote 159: As a proof of the great difficulty of knowing accurately
the exact names of the South Sea Islands, as procured from the natives,
I observe that what Captain Cook calls _Aghao_, Mr Anderson calls _Kao_;
and Tasman's drawing, as I find it in Mr Dalrymple's Collection of
Voyages, gives the name of _Kayhay_ to the same island. Tasman's and
Captain Cook's _Amattafoa_, is, with Mr Anderson, _Tofoa_. Captain
Cook's _Komango_, is Tasman's _Amango_. There is scarcely an instance,
in which such variations are not observable. Mr Anderson's great
attention to matters of this sort being, as we learn from Captain King,
well known to every body on board, and admitted always by Captain Cook
himself, his mode of spelling has been adopted.--D.]

They lie scattered, at unequal distances, and are, in general, nearly as
high as Annamooka; but only from two or three miles, to half a mile in
length, and some of them scarcely so much. They have either steep rocky
shores like Annamooka, or reddish cliffs; but some have sandy beaches
extending almost their whole length.