338 cook's second voyage may, 



reports arose concerning him ; some said he had 

 returned to Matavai ; others that he would not 

 return ; and some would have it that he was at 

 Oparree. In order to know more of the truth, a 

 party of us in the evening went down to Oparee, 

 where we found him, and likewise Towha, who, not- 

 withstanding his illness, had resolved to see me be- 

 fore I sailed, and had gotten thus far on his journey. 

 He was afflicted with a swelling in his feet and legs, 

 which had entirely taken away the use of them. As 

 the day was far spent, we were obliged to shorten our 

 stay ; and, after seeing Otoo, we returned with 

 Oedidee on board. 



This youth, I found, was desirous of remaining 

 at this isle, having before told him, as likewise many 

 others, that we should not return. I now men- 

 tioned to him that he was at liberty to remain here, 

 or to quit us at Ulietea, or to go with us to England, 

 frankly owning that if he chose the latter, it was 

 very probable he would never return to his country ; 

 in which case I would take care of him, and he must 

 afterwards look upon me as his father. He threw 

 his arms about me, and wept much, saying many 

 people persuaded him to remain at Otaheite. I told 

 him to go ashore and speak to his friends, and then 

 come to me in the morning. He was well beloved in 

 the ship, so that every one was persuading him to 

 go with us, telling him what great things he would 

 see in England, and the immense riches (according 

 to his idea of riches) he would return with. But 

 I thought proper to undecejve him, as knowing that 

 the only inducement to his going, was the expect- 

 ation of returning, and I could see no prospect of 

 an opportunity of that kind happening, unless a ship 

 should be expressly sent out for that purpose ; which 

 neither I, nor any one else, had a right to expect. I 

 thought it an act of the highest injustice to take a 

 person from these isles, under any promise which 

 was not in my power to perform. At this time, 



