30 cook's second VOYAGE JULY* 



whether it be fit for eating, I cannot say, as this was 

 decayed. 



Proceeding next to the other side of the harbour, we 

 there landed, near a few houses, at the invitation of 

 some people who came down to the shore ; but we had 

 not been there five minutes before they wanted us to 

 be gone. We complied, and proceeded up the harbour 

 in order to sound it, and to look for fresh water, of 

 which, as yet, we had seen none, but the very little 

 that the natives brought, which we knew not where 

 they got. Nor was our search now attended witli 

 success ; but this is no proof that there is not any. 

 The day was too far spent to examine the place well 

 enough to determine this point Night having 

 brought us on board, I was informed that no soul 

 had been off to the ship ; so soon was the curiosity of 

 these people satisfied. As we were coming on board, 

 we heard the sound of a drum, and, I think, of 

 some other instruments, and saw people dancing ; 

 but as soon as they heard the noise of the oars, or saw 

 us, all was silent. 



Being unwilling to lose the benefit of the moon- 

 light nights, which now happened, at seven A. M. 

 on the 23d we weighed ; and, with a light air of 

 wind, and the assistance of our boats, proceeded out 

 of the harbour ; the south end of which, at noon, 

 bore W. S. W. distant about two miles. 



When the natives saw us under sail, they came off 

 in canoes, making exchanges with more confidence 

 than before, and giving such extraordinary proofs 

 of their honesty as surprised us. As the ship 

 at first had fresh way through the water, several of 

 them dropped astern after they had received our 

 goods, and before they had time to deliver theirs in 

 return. Instead of taking advantage of this, as our 

 friends at the Society Isles would have done, they 

 used their utmost efforts to get up with us, and to 

 deliver what they had already been paid for. One 



