THE PACIFIC OCEAN. $j 



have been irreparable ; and though the natives had not as '7:9- 



yet fhewn the fmalleft difpofition to moleft us, yet it was v— - v 1 



impoffible to anfwer for the alteration, which the news of 

 the tranfa6lion at Kowrowa might produce. I therefore 

 thought it prudent to diflemble my belief of the death of 

 Captain Cook, and to defire Kaireekeea to difcourage the 

 report ; left either the fear of our refentment, or the fuc- 

 cefsful example of their countrymen, might lead them to 

 feize the favourable opportunity, which at this time offered 

 itfelf, of giving us a fecond blow. At the fame time, I ad- 

 vifed him to bring old Kaoo, and the reft of the priefts, into 

 a large houfe that was clofe to the Moral ; partly out of 

 regard to their fafety, in cafe it mould have been found 

 neceffary to proceed to extremities ; and partly to have him 

 near us, in order to make ufe of his authority with the 

 people, if it could be inftrumental in preserving peace. 



Having placed the marines on the top of the Morai, which 

 formed a ftrong and advantageous poft, and left the com- 

 mand with Mr. Bligh, giving him the moft pofitive direc- 

 tions to ac~t entirely on the defenfive, I went on board the 

 Difcovery, in order to reprefent to Captain Clerke the dan- 

 gerous fituation of our affairs. As foon as I quitted the 

 fpot, the natives began to annoy our people with ftoncs ; 

 and I had fcarcely reached the (hip, before I heard the firing 

 of the marines. I therefore returned inftantly on more, 

 where I found things growing every moment more alarm- 

 ing. The natives were arming, and putting on their mats j 

 and their numbers increafed very faft. I could alfo perceive 

 feveral large bodies marching toward us, along the cliff 

 which feparates the village of Kakooa from the North fide 

 of the bay, where the village of Kowrowa is fituated. 



Vol. III. I They 



