1779- THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 63 



Gierke and myself, to go on shore, laying all the 

 blame of the detention of the bodies on the other 

 chiefs ; and assuring us, that every thing might be 

 settled to our satisfaction, by a personal interview 

 with Terreeoboo. However, his conduct was too 

 suspicious to make it prudent to comply with this 

 request; and indeed a fact came afterward to our 

 knowledge, which proved the entire falsehood of his 

 pretensions. For we were told, that immediately 

 after the action in which Captain Cook was killed, 

 the old king had retired to a cave in the steep part 

 of the mountain, that hangs over the bay, which was 

 accessible only by the help of ropes, and where he 

 remained for many days, having his victuals let down 

 to him bv cords. 



When Koah returned from the ships, we could 

 perceive that his countrymen, who had been col- 

 lected by break of day in vast crowds on the shore, 

 thronged about him with great eagerness, as if to 

 learn the intelligence he had acquired, and what was 

 to be done in consequence of it. It is very probable, 

 that they expected we should attempt to put our 

 threats in execution ; and they seemed fully resolved 

 to stand their ground. During the whole morning, 

 we heard conchs blowing in different parts of the 

 coast; large parties were seen marching over the hills ; 

 and, in short, appearances were so alarming, that we 

 carried out a stream anchor, to enable us to haul the 

 ship abreast of the town, in case of an attack ; and 

 stationed boats off the north point of the bay, to 

 prevent a surprise from that quarter. 



The breach of their engagement to restore the 

 bodies of the slain, and the warlike posture in which 

 they at this time appeared, occasioned fresh debates 

 amongst us concerning the measures next to be pur- 

 sued. It was at last determined, that nothing should 

 be suffered to interfere with the repair of the mast, 

 and the preparations for our departure ; but that we 



