24 MEMOIR OF 



consequence of a memorial being presented to his 

 Majesty from the Royal Society ; and, for this 

 purpose, an observatory had been erected at 

 Otaheite, where the ship had arrived on the 13th 

 of March. But, on the morning of the 2d of 

 May, on going to fix the quadrant for use, it was 

 found to have been stolen. In this dilemma, Mr 

 Banks volunteered to go in search of it ; and, in 

 company with Mr Green, the astronomer, and 

 unarmed, except with a pair of pocket pistols, 

 they proceeded to the interior of the country, to 

 demand its restitution. In this delicate mission 

 they were happily successful. When they arrived 

 at the place to which they had been directed, they 

 met one of the natives " with part of the quadrant 

 in his hand. At this most welcome sight they 

 stopped ; and a great number of Indians imme- 

 diately came up, some of whom, pressing rather 

 rudely upon them, Mr Banks thought it necessary 

 to shew one of his pistols, the sight of which 

 reduced them instantly to order. As the crowd 

 that gathered round them was every moment 

 increasing, he marked out a circle in the grass, 

 and they ranged themselves on the outside of it, 

 to the number of several hundreds, with great 

 quietness and decorum."* Here, after some little 

 difficulties, the stolen property was restored, and 



* Hawkesworth. 



