r should go into the surgeon's cabin for some time. I did
not endeavour to dissuade them from this belief otherwise than by
laughing and letting them know that we had no such apprehensions.

In the afternoon the effects of the deceased were disposed of and I
appointed Mr. Thomas Denman Ledward the surgeon's mate to do duty as
surgeon.

Friday 12.

I went in a boat to examine the harbours about Oparre and found two
formed by the reefs. The westernmost is the most convenient for sailing
in or out but is not well sheltered from a north-west wind or sea. This
harbour is called by the natives Taowne: it is about a league and a half
distant from Point Venus and may be known by a remarkable mountain,
called by the natives Wawry, which bears south-south-east from the
entrance.

The easternmost harbour is called Toahroah. It is small but as secure as
a reef harbour can well be. It is about three miles distant from Point
Venus. The chief objection to this harbour is the difficulty of getting
out with the common tradewind, the entrance being on the east side, not
more than one hundred yards wide and the depth without inconvenient for
warping. On the south side of the entrance is a Morai: the reef side is
to be kept on board and a lookout to be kept from aloft, whence the shoal
water is better discerned than from the deck.

Sunday 14.

This forenoon we performed divine service. Many of the principal natives
attended and behaved with great decency. Some of the women at one time
betrayed an inclination to laugh at our general responses; but on my
looking at them they appeared much ashamed. After the service I was asked
if no offering was to be made for the Eatua to eat.

The weather had been fair all the last week and at this time appeared
quite settled, so that I was under no apprehensions of danger from
continuing a little longer in Matavai bay.

CHAPTER 9.

A Walk into the Country.
The Peeah Roah.
Prevailed on by the Kindness of the Chiefs to defer our Departure.
Breadfruit Plants collected.
Move the Ship to Toahroah Harbour.
Fishing.
Three of the Ship's Company desert.
Indiscretion of our People on Shore.
Instances of Jealousy.
Mourning.
Bull brought to Oparre by a Prophet.
The Deserters recovered.
Tinah proposes to visit England.

1788. December. Wednesday 17.

This morning I took a walk into the country accompanied by Nelson and my
old friend Moannah. The breadth of the border of low land before we
arriv