l/?9. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 83 



down to the road, from the south-east point of the 

 island, we saw the appearance of shoal water, in 

 several places, at a considerable distance from the 

 land ; and when we were about two miles to the 

 eastward of the anchoring-place and two or three 

 miles from the shore, we got into four and half 

 fathoms water, although our soundings had usually 

 been seven and eight fathoms. 



We had no sooner anchored in our old station, 

 than several canoes came along side of us ; but we 

 could observe, that they did not welcome us with the 

 same cordiality in their manner, and satisfaction in 

 their countenances, as when we were here before. 

 As soon as they got on board, one of the men began 

 to tell us, that we had left a disorder amongst their 

 women, of which several persons of both sexes had 

 died. He was himself afflicted with the venereal 

 disease, and gave a very full and minute account of 

 the various symptoms with which it had been attended. 

 As there was not the slightest appearance of that 

 disorder amongst them on our first arrival, I am 

 afraid it is not to be denied, that we were the authors 

 of this irreparable mischief. 



Our principal object here was to water the ships 

 with the utmost expedition ; and I was sent on shore 

 early in the afternoon, with the pinnace and launch 

 laden with casks. The gunner of the Resolution 

 accompanied me to trade for provisions ; and we had 

 a guard of five marines. We found a considerable 

 number of people collected upon the beach, who 

 received us at first with great kindness ; but as soon 

 as we had got the casks on shore, began to be exceed- 

 ingly troublesome. Former experience having taught 

 me how difficult it was to repress this disposition, 

 without having recourse to the authority of their 

 chiefs, I was very sorry to find, that they were all at 

 another part of the island. Indeed we soon felt the 

 want of their assistance \ for it was with great diffi- 

 culty I was able to form a circle, according to our 



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