parts, and in the forenoon some hooks and
thimbles were cut out from the blocks. This induced me to order all the
natives out of the ship except the chiefs and their attendants. In
executing these orders a daring fellow attacked the sentinel but escaped
among the crowd. Everyone knew the consequence of offending the sentinel
and were exceedingly alarmed at the appearance of anger I thought
necessary to assume.

Among those who visited us today were two chiefs of great consequence,
Marremarre and his son Poohaitaiah Otee, Earees of the districts of
Itteeah and Attahooroo. Otee was fed at dinner in the same manner as
Tinah. It was evident that the attention which I showed to these chiefs
seemed to give uneasiness to Tinah. At sunset my visitors took leave and
were carried on shore by one of the ship's boats, which has always been
regarded as a mark of distinction, and on that account preferred by them
to going in their own canoes. At their request a race was rowed between
our five-oared cutter and one of their double canoes with four paddles.
Great exertions were used on both sides but the cutter first reached the
shore. In their return to the ship Oreepyah stopped them till a large
piece of cloth that he had sent for was brought; which he tied to the
boat-hook and desired should be carried off as a trophy of their victory.

Friday 31.

The next morning at sunrise Moannah came on board with a message from
Tinah to acquaint me that he was mattow (afraid to see me) till he had
recovered some things that had been stolen from the ship and which he had
sent after. I knew there was something wrong, as no canoes came off to us
and, on looking about, we found the buoy of the best bower anchor had
been taken away, I imagine for the sake of some iron hoops that were on
it. That this might not create any coolness I sent a boat to Tinah to
invite him and his friends to come on board; which they immediately did
and were no longer under any apprehensions. I had made an appointment
with Oreepyah for him to go with me to Oparre this morning; but the
accident just mentioned caused him to break his engagement, he having
gone, I was informed, in search of what had been stolen.

Oparre is the district next to the westward of Matavai. One of my reasons
for going to Oparre was to see if Nelson would be able to procure plants
there; but I gave the credit of my visit to young Otoo, the son of Tinah,
who was the Earee Rahie, and lived with the