1^2 AVOYAGETO 



1777- r reerctted much that we did not hear of this fhip while 



we were in the Sound; as, by means of Omai, we might 

 have had full and corredl information about her from eye- 

 witnefles. For Taweiharooa's account was only from what 

 he had been told, and therefore liable to many miftakes. 

 I have not the leaft doubt, however, that his teftimony may 

 fo far be depended upon, as to induce us to believe, that 

 a fhip really had been at Teerawitte prior to my arrival in 

 the Endeavour, as it correfponds with what I had formerly 

 heard. For in the latter end of 1773, the fecond time I 

 vifited New Zealand, during my laft voyage, when we were 

 continually making inquiries about the Adventure, after 

 our feparation, fome of the natives informed us of a fliip's 

 having been in a port on the coaft of Teerawitte. But, at 

 that time, we thought we mull have mifunderllood them, 

 and took no notice of the intelligence. 



The arrival of this unknown fhip has been marked by the 

 New Zealanders with more caufes of remembrance, than the 

 unhappy one juft mentioned. Taweiharooa told us, their 

 country was indebted to her people for the prefent of an 

 animal, which they left behind them. But as he had not 

 feen it himfelf, no fort of judgment could be formed from, 

 his defcription, of what kind it was. 



We had another piece of intelligence from him, more 

 Gorrecftly given, though not confirmed by our own obferva- 

 tions, that there are fnakes and lizards there of an enormous 

 £ze. He defcribed the latter as being eight feet in length, 

 and as big round as a man's body. He faid, they fometimes 

 feize and devour men ; that they burrow in the ground ; 

 and that they are killed by making fires at the mouths of 

 the holes. We could not be miftaken as to the animal ; for, 

 ^ with 



