Crossing a belt of fertile land on the side of the harbour, they reached
a range of barren hills. Beyond them again they descended into a wide
plain, watered by a river nearly a hundred yards wide. The plain was
studded over with houses, the inhabitants of which appeared to live on
the ample productions of their country. Happy as the people appeared to
be, it was evident that they were mere children of impulse, scarcely
knowing right from wrong. The greater number were pertinacious thieves,
and addicted besides to many vices. Though not apparently bloodthirsty,
they were accustomed to offer up human sacrifices. But little insight
at that time was gained into their religious practices.

While the fort was in course of erection, the natives watched the
proceedings closely. It was finished by the 26th of April, and six
swivel guns were mounted on it. This seemed to alarm the people, who
moved to a distance; but the chiefs came in with their wives, and
exhibited no signs of fear. While they were there the butcher took a
fancy to a stone hatchet in the hands of one of the women, and because
she refused to give it, he threatened to kill her. The captain hearing
of this, ordered him to receive a couple of dozen in the presence of the
natives.

When they saw the first strokes given their kind feelings being aroused,
they entreated that the rest of the man's punishment might be remitted,
and when their petition was refused they burst into tears. A day or two
after this great alarm was caused in the fort by the disappearance of a
large instrument in a case, without which the intended observation could
not be taken. The friendly chiefs were applied to, and by their means
the thief was traced, and though the parts of the instrument had been
divided among various persons, the whole were collected uninjured, and
it was finally set up in its place.

To have a better chance of obtaining a clear sky, the astronomers were
divided into three parties. One with Mr Banks proceeded to the island
of Eimeo, twelve miles west of Otaheite; Mr Hicks went to a spot
eastward of Matavia Bay; while Captain Cook and Dr Solander remained at
the fort. The eventful morning of the 3rd of June arrived. The sky was
perfectly clear, and the passage of the planet Venus over the sun's disc
was observed to great advantage.

Captain Wallis had discovered a female whom he supposed to be the Queen
of the isles. She was recognised by Mr Molineux