284 cook's second voyage march, 



At last, to prevent worse consequences, they were 

 obliged to fire a load of small shot at one who was 

 so audacious as to snatch from one of the men the 

 bag which contained every thing they carried with 

 them. The shot hit him on the back ; on which he 

 dropped the bag, ran a little way, and then fell ; but 

 he afterwards got up and walked ; and what became 

 of him they knew not, nor whether he was much 

 wounded. As this affair occasioned some delay, and 

 drew the natives together, they presently saw the 

 man who had hitherto led the way, and one or two 

 more coming running towards them ; but instead of 

 stopping when they came up, they continued to run 

 round them, repeating in a kind manner, a few words, 

 until our people set forwards again. Then their old 

 guide hoisted his flag, leading the way as before, 

 and none ever attempted to steal from them the 

 whole day afterwards. 



As they passed along, they observed on a hill a 

 number of people collected together, some of whom 

 had spears in their hands ; but, on being called to 

 by their countryman, they dispersed ; except a few, 

 amongst whom was one seemingly of some note. He 

 was a stout well-made man, with a fine open coun- 

 tenance ; his face was painted, his body punctured, 

 and he wore a better Ha hou, or cloth than the rest. 

 He saluted them as he came up, by stretching out 

 his arms with both hands clenched, lifting them 

 over his head, opening them wide, and then letting 

 them fall gradually down to his sides. To this man, 

 whom they understood to be the chief of the island, 

 their other friend gave his white flag ; and he gave it 

 to another, who carried it before them the remainder 

 of the day. 



Towards the eastern end of the island, they met 

 with a well whose water was perfectly fresh, being 

 considerably above the level of the sea ; but it was 

 dirty, owing to the filthiness or cleanliness (call it 

 which you will) of the natives, who never go to drink 



