the _Discovery's_ boat. The women, who had been conversing
familiarly with the English, immediately retired, and loud murmurs arose
amongst the crowd. Captain Cook, perceiving the tumultuous proceedings
of the natives, ordered Lieutenant Middleton to march his marines down
to the boats, to which the islanders offered no obstruction. The captain
followed with the king, attended by his wife, two sons, and several
chiefs. One of the sons had already entered the pinnace, expecting his
father to follow, when the king's wife and others hung round his neck,
and forced him to be seated near a double canoe, assuring him that he
would be put to death if he went on board the ship.

Whilst matters were in this position, one of the chiefs was seen with a
dagger partly concealed under his cloak, lurking about Captain Cook, and
the lieutenant of marines proposed to fire at him; but this the captain
would not permit; but the chief closing upon them, the officer of
marines struck him with his firelock. Another native, grasping the
sergeant's musket, was forced to let it go by a blow from the
lieutenant. Captain Cook, seeing the tumult was increasing, observed,
that "if he were to force the king off, it could only be done by
sacrificing the lives of many of his people;" and was about to give
orders to re-embark, when a man flung a stone at him, which he returned
by discharging small-shot from one of the barrels of his piece. The man
was but little hurt; and brandishing his spear, with threatenings to
hurl it at the captain, the latter, unwilling to fire with ball, knocked
the fellow down, and then warmly expostulated with the crowd for their
hostile conduct. At this moment a man was observed behind a double
canoe, in the act of darting a spear at Captain Cook, who promptly
fired, but killed another who was standing by his side. The sergeant of
marines, however, instantly presented, and brought down the native whom
the captain had missed. The impetuosity of the islanders was somewhat
repressed; but being pushed on by those in the rear, who were ignorant
of what was passing in front, a volley of stones was poured in amongst
the marines, who, without waiting for orders, returned it with a general
discharge of musketry, which was directly succeeded by a brisk fire from
the boats. Captain Cook expressed much surprise and vexation; he waved
his hand for the boats to cease firing, and to come on shore to embark
the marines. The pinnace unhesitat