548 AVOYAGETO 



'779 At dav-break on the i6th, feein;^ the appearance of a bay, 



January. ' 011 



' . ' I fent Mr. Bligli, with a boat from each fhip, to examine ir, 



"'^ '^ ' * being at this time three leagues off. Canoes now began to 

 arrive from all parts ; fo that before ten o'clock, there were 

 not fewer than a thoufand about the two fhips, mod of 

 them crowded with people, and well laden with hogs and 

 other producflions of the ifland. We had tb.e moft fatisfy- 

 ing proof of their friendly intentions ; for we did not fee a 

 fmgle perfon who had with him a weapon of any fort. 

 Trade and curiofity alone had brought them off. Among 

 fuch numbers as we had, at times, on board, it is no won- 

 der that fome fliould betray a thicvifli difpofition. One of 

 our vifiters took out of the fhip a boat's rudder. He was 

 difcovcred ; but too late to recover it. I thought this a good 

 opportunity to fliew thefe people the ufe of fire-arms ; and 

 two or three mufquets, and as many four-pounders, uere 

 fired over the canoe, which carried off the rudder. As it 

 was not intended that any of the fliot fhould take effeft, the 

 furrounding multitude of natives fecmed rather more fur- 

 prized than frightened. 



In the evening, Mr. Bligh returned, and reported, that he 

 had found a bay in which was good anchorage, and frefli 

 water, in a fituation tolerably eafy to be come at. Into this 

 bay, I refolved to carry the fliips, thereto refit, and fupply 

 ourfelves with every refrelhment that the place could afford. 

 As night approached, the greater part of our vifiters retired 

 to the fhore ; but numbers of them requefted our permiffion 

 to fleep on board. Curiofity was not the only motive, at leaft 

 Sunday 17. with fomc ; for, the next morning, fcveral things were 

 miffing, which determined me not to entertain fo many 

 another night. 



7 At 



