1777- THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 277 



again to the northward, with a light air of wind east* 

 erly ; intending to try our fortune at Hervey's 

 Island, which was discovered in 1773, during my last 

 voyage.* Although it was not above fifteen leagues 

 distant, yet we did not get sight of it till day-break 

 in the morning of the 6th, when it bore west south- 

 west, at the distance of about three leagues. As we 

 drew near it, at eight o'clock, we observed several 

 canoes put off from the shore ; and they came directly 

 toward the ships. This was a sight that, indeed, 

 surprised me, as no signs of inhabitants were seen 

 when the island was first discovered, which might 

 be owing to a pretty brisk wind that then blew, and 

 prevented their canoes venturing out, as the ships 

 passed to leeward ; whereas now we were to wind- 

 ward. 



As we still kept on toward the island, six or seven 

 of the canoes, all double ones, soon came near us. 

 There were from three to six men in each of them. 

 They stopped at the distance of about a stone's 

 throw from the ship ; and it was some time before 

 Omai could prevail upon them to come alongside ; 

 but no intreaties could induce any of them to ven- 

 ture on board. Indeed, their disorderly and clamo- 

 rous behaviour by no means indicated a disposition 

 to trust us, or treat us well. We afterward learnt 

 that they had attempted to take some oars out of 

 the Discovery's boat, that lay along-side, and struck 

 a man who endeavoured to prevent them. They also 

 cut away, with a shell, a net with meat* which hung 

 over that ship's stern, and absolutely refused to re- 

 store it ; though we, afterward, purchased it from 

 them. Those who were about our ship, behaved in 

 the same daring manner ; for they made a sort of 

 hook, of a long stick, with which they endeavoured 

 openly to rob us of several things ; and, at last, 

 actually got a frock belonging to one of our people, 



* See Vol. III. book ii. chap. 1., where this island is said to be 

 about six leagues in circuit. 



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