1777* THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 255 



when they saw that our people failed in their at- 

 tempts to land, Mr. Gore was of opinion, that by 

 means of Omai, who could best explain our request, 

 they might be prevailed upon to bring off to the 

 boats, beyond the surfj such articles as we most 

 wanted ; in particular, the stems of plantain trees, 

 which make good food for the cattle. Having little 

 or no wind, the delay of a day or two was not of any 

 moment ; and therefore I determined to try the ex- 

 periment, and got every thing ready against the next 

 morning. 



Soon after day-break, we observed some canoes 

 coming off to the ships, and one of them directed its 

 course to the Resolution. In it was a hog, with some 

 plantains and cocoa nuts, for which the people, who 

 brought them demanded a dog from us, and refused 

 every other thing that we offered in exchange. One 

 of our gentlemen on board, happened to have a dog 

 and a bitch, which were great nuisances in the ship, 

 and might have been disposed of on this occasion for 

 a purpose of real utility, by propagating a race of so 

 useful an animal in this island. But their owner had 

 no such views, in making them the companions of 

 his voyage. However, to gratify these people, Omai 

 parted with a favourite dog he had brought from 

 England ; and with this acquisition they departed 

 highly satisfied. 



About ten o'clock I dispatched Mr. Gore with 

 three boats, two from the Resolution and one from 

 the Discovery, to try the experiment he had pro- 

 posed. And, as I could confide in his diligence and 

 ability, I left it entirely to himself, to act as from 

 circumstances he should judge to be most proper. 

 Two of the natives who had been on board accom- 

 panied him ; and Omai went with him in his boat 

 as an interpreter. The ships being a full league 

 from the island when the boats put off, and having 

 but little wind, it was noon before we could work up 

 to it. We then saw our three boats riding at their 



