nsued that chief was knocked down. Captain Cook, also, not knowing
that the articles had been brought back, followed the supposed thieves
for several miles in the interior, when, on its getting dark, he
returned unmolested on board.

The next morning the Discovery's cutter was found to have been carried
off, and Captain Cook resolved to seize the king, and hold him captive
till the boat was returned. For this purpose, loading his
double-barrelled gun, he went on shore with Mr Phillips and nine
marines. Mr King ordered the marines to remain within the tents, to
load their pieces with ball, and not to quit their arms. He then went
up to the huts of the priests, and endeavoured to quiet their alarm,
assuring them that no one would be hurt. Captain Cook, meantime,
proceeded to the king's house, and found him just awake. He easily
persuaded the old man to come on board with two of his sons; but as they
were embarking, one of his wives came down and entreated him not to go
off.

A vast number of people now began to collect, armed with all sorts of
weapons and their war mats. Captain Cook held the king's hand, and
pressed him to come on; but finding that the lives of many natives might
be sacrificed if he persisted in the attempt, he abandoned it, and only
now thought of how he might best draw off his party. Unfortunately, the
boats stationed in the bay had fired at some canoes trying to get out,
and killed a chief of the first rank. This news quickly reached the
hostile natives. Mr Phillips, on this, withdrew his men to some rocks
close to the water-side.

The natives now began to throw stones, and one man, especially,
threatened the captain with his dagger. In defence he fired. As the
barrel was only loaded with small shot it killed no one. The other
barrel had a ball in it, with which a man was killed. By this time the
marines had begun to fire, and the captain turned round, either to order
them to cease or to direct the boats to come in, when a tall man struck
him on the back with a long club, and he fell forward on his hands and
knees, letting his fowling-piece drop. A chief with a long dagger now
plunged it into his back; he fell under the water, and the natives, who
crowded round, prevented him from rising. Nothing more was seen of him.
All was now horror and confusion. The natives pressed on the marines,
four of whom were killed before they could reach the boats, and another,
who could not swim, rem