1769. ROUND THE WORLD. 303 



they were much pleased, but seemed to set no value 

 upon the nail. We perceived that they knew what 

 had happened in Poverty Bay, and we had there- 

 fore no reason to doubt but that they would behave 

 peaceably ; however, for further security, Tupia was 

 ordered to tell them for what purpose we came 

 thither, and to assure them that we would offer them 

 no injury, if they offered none to us. In the mean 

 time those who remained in the canoes traded with 

 our people very fairly for what they happened to have 

 with them : the chiefs, who were old men, staid w^ith 

 us till we had dined, and about two o'clock I put off 

 with the boats, manned and armed, in order to go on 

 shore in search of water, and the two chiefs went in- 

 to the boat with me. The afternoon was tempes- 

 tuous, with much rain, and the surf every where ran 

 so high, that although we rowed almost round the 

 bay, we found no place where we could land : I de- 

 termined therefore to return to the ship, which be- 

 ing intimated to the chiefs, they called to the people 

 on shore, and ordered a canoe to be sent off for them- 

 selves ; this was accordingly done, and they left us, 

 promising to come on board again in the morning, 

 and bring us some fish and sweet potatoes. 



In the evening, the weather having become fair 

 and moderate, the boats were again ordered out, and 

 I landed, accompanied by Mr. Banks and Dr. Solan- 

 der. We were received with great expressions of 

 friendship by the natives, who behaved with a scru- 

 pulous attention not to give offence. In particular, 

 they took care not to appear in great bodies : one 

 family, or the inhabitants of two or three houses only, 

 were generally placed together, to the number of 

 fifteen or twenty, consisting of men, women, and 

 children. These little companies sat upon the 

 ground, not advancing towards us, but inviting us to 

 them, by a kind of beckon, moving one hand towards 

 the breast. We made them several little presents ; 

 and 4n our walk round the bay found two small 



7 



