104 cook's first voyage APRIL, 



with the women, who expressed great apprehensions 

 that some mischief was designed against their Jord. 

 When he came to the tents, he restored one of the 

 knives to Dr. Solander, and another to me, the 

 third not being owned, and then began to search 

 for Mr. Banks's in all the places where he had ever 

 seen it. After some time, one of Mr. Banks's ser- 

 vants, understanding what he was about, immediately 

 fetched his master's knife, which it seems he had 

 laid by the day before, and till now knew nothing 

 of its having been missed. Tubourai Tamaide, upon 

 this demonstration of his innocence, expressed the 

 strongest emotions of mind, both in his looks and 

 gestures: the tears started from his eyes; and he 

 made signs with the knife, that, if he was ever 

 guilty of such an action as had been imputed to 

 him, he would submit to have his throat cut. He 

 then rushed out of the lines, and returned hastily 

 to Mr. Banks, with a countenance that severely 

 reproached him with his suspicions. Mr. Banks sooa 

 understood that the knife had been received from 

 his servant, and was scarcely less affected at what 

 had happened than the chief: he felt himself to be 

 the guilty person, and was very desirous to atone for 

 his fault. The poor Indian, however violent his 

 passions, was a stranger to sullen resentment ; and 

 upon Mr. Banks's spending a little time familiarly 

 with him, and making him a few trifling presents, 

 he forgot the wrongs that had been done him, and 

 was perfectly reconciled. 



Upon this occasion it may be observed, that these 

 people have a knowledge of right and wrong from 

 the mere dictates of natural conscience ; and invo- 

 luntarily condemn themselves when they do that to 

 others which they would condemn others for doing 

 to them. That Tubourai Tamaide felt the force 

 of moral obligation is certain ; for the imputation 

 of an action which he considered as indifferent would 

 not, when it appeared to be groundless, have moved 



