ected about the spot, and had hitherto been peaceable spectators,
immediately attacked our people with such a shower of stones, as
forced them to retreat, with great precipitation, and swim off to a
rock, at some distance from the shore. The pinnace was immediately
ransacked by the islanders; and, but for the timely interposition of
Pareea, who seemed to have recovered from the blow, and forgot it at
the same instant, would soon have been entirely demolished. Having
driven away the crowd, he made signs to our people, that they might
come and take possession of the pinnace, and that he would endeavour
to get back the things which had been, taken out of it. After their
departure, he followed them in his canoe, with a midshipman's cap, and
some other trifling articles of the plunder, and, with much apparent
concern at what had happened, asked, if the Orono would kill him, and
whether he would permit him to come on board the next day? On being
assured that he would be well received, he joined noses (as their
custom is) with the officers, in token of friendship, and paddled over
to the village of Kowrowa.

When Captain Cook was informed of what had passed, he expressed much
uneasiness at it; and, as we were returning on board, "I am afraid,"
said he, "that these people will oblige me to use some violent
measures; for," he added, "they must not be left to imagine that they
have gained an advantage over us." However, as it was too late to take
any steps this evening, he contented himself with giving orders, that
every man and woman on board should be immediately turned out of the
ship. As soon us this order was executed, I returned on shore; and our
former confidence in the natives being now much abated, by the events
of the day, I posted a double guard on the _morai_, with orders to
call me, if they saw any men lurking about the beach. At about eleven
o'clock, five islanders were observed creeping round the bottom of
the _morai_; they seemed very cautious in approaching us; and at last,
finding themselves discovered, retired out of sight. About midnight,
one of them venturing up close to the observatory, the sentinel fired
over him; on which the men, fled, and we passed the remainder of the
night without farther disturbance.

Next morning, at day-light, I went on board the Resolution for
the time-keeper; and, in my way, was hailed by the Discovery, and
informed, that their cutter had been stolen, during the night, from
the