132 A V O Y A G E T O 



1777. months a.20, with about feventy perfons of his tribe: and I 



February. '-' , "^ '^ 



could not learn that there now remained in our neighbour- 

 hood any tribe, whofe numbers could fecure to them a fu- 

 periority of power over the reft of their countrymen. To 

 have given the animals to any of the natives who pofTefTed 

 no fuch power, would not have anfwered the intention. 

 For in a country like this, where no man's property is fe- 

 cure, they would foon have fallen a prey to different parties, 

 and been either feparated or killed ; but moft likely both. 

 This was fo evident, from what we had obferved fince our 

 arrival, that I had refolved to leave no kind of animal, till 

 Matahouah and the other Chief folicited me for the hogs 

 and goats. As I could fpare them, I let them go, to take 

 their chance. I have, at different times, left in New Zea- 

 land, not lefs than ten or a dozen hogs, befides thofe put 

 on Ihore by Captain Furneaux. It will be a little extraor- 

 dinary, therefore, if this race fliould not increafe and be 

 preferved here, either in a wild or in a domeftic ftatc, or in 

 both. 



We had not been long at anchor near Motuara, before 

 three or four canoes, filled with natives, came off to us 

 from the South Eaft fide of the Sound; and a briflc trade was 

 carried on with them for the curiofities of this place. In one 

 of thefe canoes was Kahoora, whom I have already men- 

 tioned as the leader of the party who cut oil the crew of the 

 Adventure's boat. This was the third time he had vifited 

 us, without betraying the fmalleft appearance of fear. I 

 was afhorc when he now arrived, but had got on board juft 

 as he was going away. Omai, who had returned with me, 

 prefently pointed him out, and folicited me to flioot him. 

 Not fatisfied with this, he addrefled himfelf to Kahoora, 



threatening 



