17^9. ROUND THE WORLD. 93 



CHAP. IX. 



A PLACE FIXED UPON FOR AN OBSERVATORY AND FORT I AN 



EXCURSION INTO THE WOODS, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. THE 



FORT ERECTED : A VISIT FROM SEVERAL CHIEFS ON BOARD 

 AND AT The fort, with some account of the MUSIC OF 

 THE NATIVES, AND THE iMANNER IN WHICH THEY DISPOSE 

 OF THEIR DEAD. 



On the next morning, Saturday the 15th, several of 

 the chiefs whom we had seen the day before came 

 on board, and brought with them hogs, bread-fruit, 

 and other refreshments, for which we gave them 

 hatchets and linen, and such things as seemed to be 

 most acceptable. 



As in my excursion to the westward, 1 had not 

 found any more convenient harbour than that in 

 which we lay, I determined to go on shore and fix 

 upon some spot, commanded by the ship's guns, 

 where I might throw up a small fort for our defence, 

 and prepare for making our astronomical observation. 



I therefore took a party of men, and landed with- 

 out delay, accompanied by Mr. Banks, Dr. Solander, 

 and the astronomer, Mr. Green. We soon fixed 

 upon a part of the sandy beach, on the N. E. point 

 of the bay, which was in every respect convenient 

 for our purpose, and not near any habitation of the 

 natives. Having marked out the ground that we in- 

 tended to occupy, a small tent belonging to Mr. Banks 

 was set up, which had been brought on shore for that 

 purpose : by this time a great number of the people 

 had gathered about us ; but, as it appeared, only to 

 look on, there not being a single w^eapon of any kind 

 among them. I intimated, however, that none of 

 them were to come within the line I had drawn, ex- 

 cept one who appeared to be a chief, and Owhaw. 

 To these two persons I addressed myself by signs. 



