1773. ROUND THE WORLD, 175 



used every argument to dissuade him from what 

 they, no doubt, thought a rash step. He hastened 

 into the boat, notwithstanding all they could do or 

 sav. As soon as they saw their beloved chief whollv 

 in my power, they set up a great outcry. The grief 

 they showed was inexpressible ; every face was be- 

 dewed with tears ; they prayed, entreated, nay, 

 attempted to pull him out of the boat. I even joined 

 my entreaties to theirs, for I could not bear to see 

 them in such distress. All that could be said or 

 done, availed nothing ; he insisted on my coming 

 into the boat, which was no sooner done than he 

 ordered it to be put off. His sister, witli a spirit 

 equal to that of her royal brother, was the only per- 

 son who did not oppose his going. As his intention 

 in coming into our boat was to go with us in search of 

 the robbers, we proceeded accordingly as far as it was 

 convenient by water, then landed, entered the coun- 

 try, and travelled some miles inland, the chief leading 

 the way, enquiring of every one he saw. At length 

 he stepped into a house by the road side, ordered 

 some cocoa-nuts for us, and after we were a little 

 refreshed, wanted to proceed still farther ; but this I 

 opposed, thinking that we might be carried to the very 

 farthest end of the island, after things, the most of 

 which, before they came into our hands again, might 

 not be worth the bringing home. The chief used many 

 arguments to persuade me to proceed, telling me 

 that I might send my boat round to meet us, or that he 

 would get a canoe to bring us home, if I thought it 

 too far to travel. But I was resolved to return, 

 and he was obliged to comply and return with me, 

 when he saw I would follow him no farther. I only 

 desired he would send somebody for the things ; for 

 I found that the thieves had got so much start of 

 us that we might follow them to the remotest parts of 

 the isle, without so much as seeing them ; besides, 

 as I intended to sail the next morning, this occasioned 

 a great loss to us, by putting a stop to all manner of 



