182 THE SIGN OF AMITY. 



it ; arid in the subsequent contest, Parea re 

 ceived so violent a blow on the head with an 

 oar, that he fell senseless to the ground. In 

 the mean time the islanders had assembled, and, 

 irritated at this undeserved outrage on a chief, 

 began to throw stones at the English, who 

 were obliged to swim to a neighbouring rock 

 for safety. The victorious people, thus left in 

 possession of the field of battle, fell upon the 

 English boat, which they would have destroyed 

 but for the interposition of Parea, who had now 

 recovered his senses. He dispersed the crowd, 

 made a signal to the English that they might 

 return, restored their boat, and sent them back 

 in it to their ship. Parea afterwards followed 

 them, taking with him a midshipman s hat, and 

 some other trifles which were missing; expressed 

 his sorrow for the dispute that had arisen, and 

 inquired whether O Rono desired his death, or 

 whether he might come again to the ship. (It 

 appeared from this that he still looked upon 

 Cook as the deity, or at least affected this belief 

 to propitiate the English.) He was assured 

 that he had nothing to fear, and would always 

 be welcome ; he then touched the nose of the 



