1777- THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 1Q9 



nor presents, could prevail upon him to come into 

 the ship. This shyness was to be accounted for only 

 upon this supposition, that they were apprehensive we 

 had revisited their country, in order to revenge the 

 death of Captain Furneaux's people. Seeing Omai 

 on board my ship now, whom they must have re- 

 membered to have seen on board the Adventure 

 when the melancholy affair happened, and whose first 

 conversation with them, as they approached, generally 

 turned on that subject, they must be well assured 

 tiiat I was no longer a stranger to it. I thought it 

 necessary, therefore, to use every endeavour to assure 

 them of the continuance of my friendship, and that 

 I should not disturb them on that account. I do not 

 know whether this had any weight with them ; but 

 certain it is, that they very soon laid aside all manner 

 of restraint and distrust. 



On the 13th we set up two tents, one from each 

 ship ; on the same spot where he had pitched them 

 formerly* The observatories were at the same time 

 erected ; and Messrs. King and Bayly began their 

 operations immediately, to find the rate of the time- 

 keeper, and to make other observations. The re- 

 mainder of the empty water-casks were also sent on 

 shore, with the cooper to trim, and a sufficient num- 

 ber of sailors to fill them. Two men were appointed 

 to brew spruce beer ; and the carpenter and his crew 

 were ordered to cut wood. A boat, with a party of 

 men, under the direction of one of the mates, was 

 sent to collect grass for our cattle ; and the people 

 that remained on board were employed in refitting 

 the ship, and arranging the provisions. In this man- 

 ner, we were all profitably busied during our stay. 

 For the protection of the party on shore, I appointed 

 a guard of ten marines, and ordered arms for all the 

 workmen ; and Mr. King, and two or three petty 

 officers, constantly remained with them. A boat 

 was never sent to any considerable distance from the 

 ships without being armed, and under the direction 



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