.

I left the ships about four o'clock in the afternoon; and, as we
approached the shore, I perceived every indication of a hostile
reception. The whole crowd of natives was in motion; the women and
children retiring; the men putting on their war-mats, and arming
themselves with long spears and daggers. We also observed, that since
the morning they had thrown up stone breast-works along the beach
where Captain Cook had landed, probably in expectation of an attack at
that place; and as soon as we were within reach, they began to throw
stones at us with slings, but without doing any mischief. Concluding,
therefore, that all attempts to bring them to a parley would be in
vain, unless I first gave them some ground for mutual confidence, I
ordered the armed boats to stop, and went on in the small boat alone,
with a white flag in my hand, which, by a general cry of joy from the
natives, I had the satisfaction to find was instantly understood. The
women immediately returned from the side of the hill, whither they had
retired; the men threw off their mats, and all sat down together
by the water-side, extending their arms, and inviting me to come on
shore.

Though this behaviour was very expressive of a friendly disposition,
yet I could not help entertaining some suspicions of its sincerity.
But when I saw Koah, with a boldness and assurance altogether
unaccountable, swimming off toward the boat, with a white flag in his
hand, I thought it necessary to return this mark of confidence, and
therefore received him into the boat, though armed; a circumstance
which did not tend to lessen my suspicions. I must confess I had long
harboured an unfavourable opinion of this man. The priests had always
told us that he was of a malicious disposition, and no friend of ours;
and the repeated detections of his fraud and treachery had convinced
us of the truth of their representations. Add to all this, the
shocking transaction of the morning, in which he was seen acting a
principal part, made me feel the utmost horror at finding myself so
near him; and as he came up to me, with feigned tears, and embraced
me, I was so distrustful of his intentions, that I could not help
taking hold of the point of the _pahooah_, which he held in his hand,
and turning it from me. I told him, that I had come to demand the
body of Captain Cook; and to declare war against them, unless it
was instantly restored. He assured me this should be done as soon as
possibl