54 cook's voyage to feb. 



with great sorrow and dejection in his countenance, 

 to inquire if it was true ? 



Our situation was, at this time, extremely critical 

 and important. Not only our own lives, hut the event 

 of the expedition, and the return of at least one of 

 the ships, being involved in the same common dan- 

 ger. We had the mast of the Resolution, and the 

 greatest part of our sails, on shore, under the protec- 

 tion of only six marines: their loss would have been 

 irreparable; and though the natives had not as yet 

 shown the smallest disposition to molest us, yet it was 

 impossible to answer for the alteration which the 

 news of the transaction at Kowrowa might produce. 

 I therefore thought it prudent to dissemble my be- 

 lief of the death of Captain Cook, and to desire 

 Kaireekeea to discourage the report; lest either the 

 fear of our resentment, or the successful example of 

 their countrymen, might lead them to seize the fav- 

 ourable opportunity, which at this time offered itself 

 of giving usa second blow. At the same time I advised 

 him to bring old Kaoo, and the rest of the priests, 

 into a large house that was close to the Moral ; partly 

 out of regard to their safety, in case it should have 

 been found necessary to proceed to extremities ; and 

 partly to have him near us, in order to make use of 

 his authority with the people, if it could be instru- 

 mental in preserving peace. 



Having placed the marines on the top of the Morai, 

 which formed a strong and advantageous post, and 

 left the command with Mr. Bligh, giving him the 

 most positive directions to act entirely on the defen- 

 sive, I went on board the Discovery, in order to re- 

 present to Captain Gierke the dangerous situation of 

 our affairs. As soon as I quitted the spot, the natives 

 began to annoy our people with stones; and I had 

 scarcely reached the ship, before I heard the firing of 

 the marines. I therefore returned instantly on shore, 

 where I found things growing every moment more 



