14 COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE JUNE, 



to the satisfaction of all parties, we repaired on board 

 to dinner, where I found a good supply of fruit and 

 roots, and therefore gave orders to get every thing in 

 readiness to sail. 



I now was informed of a circumstance which was 

 observed on board : several canoes being at the ship, 

 when the great guns were fired in the morning, they 

 all retired, but one man, who was bailing the water 

 out of his canoe, which lay along-side, directly under 

 the guns. When the first was fired, he just looked 

 up, and then, quite unconcerned, continued his work; 

 nor had the second gun any other effect upon him ; 

 he did not stir till the water was all out of his canoe, 

 when he paddled leisurely off. This man had several 

 times been observed to take fruit and roots out of 

 other canoes, and sell them to us. If the owners did 

 not willingly part with them, he took them by force ; 

 by which he obtained the appellation of custom-house 

 officer. One time, after he had been collecting tri- 

 bute, he happened to be lying along-side of a sailing 

 canoe which was on board. One of her people see- 

 ing him look another way, and his attention other- 

 wise engaged, took the opportunity of stealing some- 

 what out of his canoe ; they then put off, and set their 

 sail ; but the man, perceiving the trick they had 

 played him, darted after them, and having soon got 

 on board their canoe, beat him who had taken his 

 things, and not only brought back his own but many 

 other articles which he took from them. This man 

 had likewise been observed making collections on 

 shore at the trading-place. I remembered to have 

 seen him there ; and, on account of his gathering 

 tribute, took him to be a man of consequence, and 

 was going to make him a present ; but some of their 

 people would not let me ; saying he was no Areeke, 

 (that is, chief). He had his hair always powdered 

 with some kind of white dust. 



As we had no wind to sail this afternoon, a party 

 of us went ashore in the evening. We found the na- 



