pose of repairing the masts,
and for procuring refreshments, of which, it was imagined, that the
neighbourhood of Karakakooa had been already pretty well drained. On
the other hand, it was considered as too great a risk to leave a
place that was tolerably sheltered, and which, once left, could not be
regained, for the mere hopes of meeting with a better; the failure of
which might, perhaps, have left us without resource.

We, therefore, continued standing on toward the land, in order to give
the natives an opportunity of releasing their friends on board from
their confinement; and at noon, being within a mile of the shore, a
few canoes came off to us, but so crowded with people, that there was
not room in them for any of our guests; we therefore hoisted out the
pinnace to carry them on shore; and the master, who went with them,
had directions to examine the south coasts of the bay for water; but
returned, without finding any.

The winds being variable, and a current setting strong to the
northward, we made but little progress in our return; and at eight
o'clock in the evening of the 9th, it began to blow very hard from the
south-east, which obliged us to close reef the topsails; and at two in
the morning of the 10th, in a heavy squall, we found ourselves close
in with the breakers, that lie to the northward of the west point
of Owhyhee. We had just room to haul off, and avoid them, and fired
several guns to apprise the Discovery of the danger.

In the forenoon the weather was more moderate, and a few canoes came
off to us; from which we learnt that the late storms had done much
mischief, and that several large canoes had been lost. During the
remainder of the day we kept beating to windward; and, before night,
we were within a mile of the bay; but, not choosing to run on while
it was dark, we stood off and on till day-light next morning, when we
dropt anchor nearly in the same place as before.

SECTION III.

_Suspicious Behaviour of the Natives, on our Return to Karakakooa
Bay.--Theft on Board the Discovery and its Consequences.--The
Pinnace attacked, and the Crew obliged to quit her.--Captain Cook's
Observations on the Occasion.--Attempt at the Observatory.--The Cutter
of the Discovery stolen.--Measures taken by Captain Cook for its
Recovery.--Goes on Shore to invite the King on Board--The King being
stopped by his Wife and the Chiefs, a Contest arises.--News arrives of
one of the Chiefs being killed by one of