1779. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 43 



occasioned was very conspicuous ; the women and 

 children were immediately sent off; and the men 

 put on their war-mats, and armed themselves with 

 spears and stones. One of the natives, having in 

 his hands a stone, and a long iron spike (which they 

 call a pahooa), came up to the Captain, flourishing 

 his weapon, by way of defiance, and threatening to 

 throw the stone. The Captain desired him to de- 

 sist ; but the man persisting in his insolence, he was 

 at length provoked to fire a load of small-shot. The 

 man having his mat on, which the shot were not able 

 to penetrate, this had no other effect than to irritate 

 and encourage them. Several stones were thrown 

 at the marines ; and one of the Erees attempted to 

 stab Mr. Phillips with his pahooa, but failed in the 

 attempt, and received from him a blow with the butt 

 end of his musket. Captain Cook now fired his 

 second barrel, loaded with ball, and killed one of 

 the foremost of the natives. A general attack with 

 stones immediately followed, which was answered 

 by a discharge of musketry from the marines, and 

 the people in the boats. The islanders, contrary to 

 the expectations of every one, stood the fire with 

 great firmness ; and before the marines had time to 

 re-load, they broke in upon them with dreadful shouts 

 and yells. What followed was a scene of the ut- 

 most horror and confusion. 



Four of the marines were cut off amongst the 

 rocks in their retreat, and fell a sacrifice to the fury 

 of the enemy; three more were dangerously wounded; 

 and the Lieutenant, who had received a stab 

 between the shoulders with a pahooa, having for- 

 tunately reserved his fire, shot the man who had 

 wounded him just as he was going to repeat his 

 blow. Our unfortunate Commander, the last time 

 he was seen distinctly, was standing at the water's 

 edge, and calling out to the boats to cease firing, 

 and to pull in. If it be true, as some of those who 

 were present have imagined, that the marines and 



