FIRST VOYAGE 33 



Tubora Tumaida of having stolen some nails. Having a 

 good opinion of this chief, he was willing to put his fidelity 

 to the test, and several temptations were thrown in his way 

 among the rest a basket of nails, which proved irresistible. 

 He confessed the fact ; and upon Mr. Banks's insisting upon 

 restitution, he declared the nails were at Eparre. This 

 occasioned high words, and at length the Indian produced 

 one of them. He was to have been forgiven upon restoring 

 the rest, but not having resolution to fulfil his engagement, 

 he fled with his furniture and family before night. 



On the 27th of May, Tootahah being removed to a place 

 called Atahourou, Mr. Banks, Dr. Solander, Captain Cook, 

 and some others, set out in the pinnace to pay him another 

 visit ; and after making presents of a few trifling articles, 

 they were invited to stay the night. Mr. Banks having 

 accepted a place in Oberea's canoe, left his companions in 

 order to retire to rest. Notwithstanding the care Oberea 

 took of his clothes, by having them in her own custody, 

 they were stolen, with his pistols, powder-horn, and many 

 other things that were in his waistcoat pockets. The alarm 

 was given to Tootahah, who slept in the next canoe, and 

 who went with Oberea in search of the thief, leaving Mr. 

 Banks with only his breeches on, and his musket uncharged. 

 They soon returned, but without success, and Mr. Banks 

 thought proper to put up with the loss for the present. 

 However, he went to the hut where Captain Cook and three 

 of his associates lay, and began to relate his melancholy 

 tale ; but instead of receiving much comfort from them, he 

 was told that they had shared the same fate, having lost 

 their stockings and jackets. 



They now began to make preparations for observing the 

 transit of Venus, and from the hints which Captain Cook 

 had received from the Royal Society, he sent out two parties 

 to make observations from different spots, that in case they 

 failed at Otaheite, they might succeed elsewhere. They 

 employed themselves in preparing their instruments, and 

 giving instructions in the use of them. On Thursday, the 

 1st of June (the next Saturday being the day of the transit), 

 they sent the longboat to Eimayo, having on board Mr. Gore, 

 Mr. Monkhouse, and Mr. Sporing, a friend of Mr. Banks, 

 each furnished with necessary instruments by Mr. Green. 

 Mr. Banks and several of the Indians went out with this 

 party. Others were despatched to find out a convenient 

 spot, at such a distance from their principal station as might 

 suit their purpose. 



Those who went to Eimayo in the longboat, after rowing 

 the best part of the night, by the help of some Indians on 

 board a canoe, which they hailed, found a proper situation 

 68 B 



