1774. l ROUND THE WORLD. 353 



her, that it was with great difficulty our gentlemen 

 could prevail upon her to see the play out, or to re- 

 frain from tears while it was acting. The piece con- 

 cluded with the reception she was supposed to meet 

 with from her friends at her return ; which was not 

 a. very favourable one. These people can add little 

 extempore pieces to their entertainments when they 

 see occasion. Is it not then reasonable to suppose 

 that this was intended as a satire against this girl, 

 and to discourage others from following her steps ? 



In the morning of the 18th Oree came on board 

 with a present of fruit, stayed dinner, and in the 

 afternoon desired to see some great guns fired, shot- 

 ted, which I complied with. The reason of his mak- 

 ing this request was his hearing, from Oedidee and 

 our Otaheitean passengers, that we had so done at 

 their island. The chief would have had us fire at 

 the hills ; but I did not approve of that, lest the shot 

 should fall short, and do some mischief. Besides the 

 effect was better seen in the water. Some of the 

 petty officers, who had leave to go into the country 

 for their amusement, took two of the natives with 

 them to be their guides, and to carry their bags, con- 

 taining nails, hatchets, &c, the current cash we traded 

 with here ; which the fellows made off with in the 

 following artful manner. The gentlemen had with 

 them two musquets for shooting birds. After a 

 shower of rain, their guides pointed out some for 

 them to shoot. One of the musquets having missed 

 fire several times, and the other having gone off, the 

 instant the fellows saw themselves secure from both, 

 they ran away, leaving the gentlemen gazing after 

 them with so much surprise, that no one had presence 

 of mind to pursue them. 



The 19th, showery morning ; fair afternoon ; no- 

 thing happened worthy of note. 



Early in the morning of the 20th, three of the 

 officers set out on a shooting party, rather contrary 

 to my inclination j as I found the natives, at least 



VOL. III. A A 



