FIRST VOYAGE 57 



even after another was fired at him with small shot, which 

 hit him in the back, he still persevered in his design. 

 Upon this the rest of the Indians set "up their song of 

 defiance. They did not, however, make any preparations 

 for attacking the ship ; but Captain Cook judged, that if he 

 suffered them to go off without convincing them of his 

 power of avenging the insult, it might give an unfavourable 

 opinion of the English to the natives on shore. He accord- 

 ingly fired a four-pounder, which passed over them ; and 

 the effect it had in the water terrified them so greatly, that 

 they made to shore with the utmost precipitancy. 



The Endeavour passed the night under an island about 

 twenty miles from the main, which they named the Mayor. 

 In the morning of the 3rd November, they gave 

 the name of The Court of Aldermen to a number of 

 small islands that lay contiguous. The chief, who 

 governed the district from Cape Turnagain to this coast, 

 was named Teratu. 



On the 4th, three canoes came alongside with several 

 Indians. These canoes were built very different from the 

 others, being formed of the trunks of single trees, made 

 hollow by burning : they were not carved, or in any shape 

 ornamented. These Indians were of a darker complexion 

 than the others, but made use of the same modes of 

 defiance, and threw several stones and some of their lances 

 into the ship. 



In the morning of the 5th, a great number of canoes, 

 with near two hundred men, armed with spears, lances, and 

 stones, made their appearance ; seemingly resolved to 

 attack the ship, and desirous of boarding her, but could 

 not determine at what part, changing their stations, and 

 paddling round her. These motions kept the crew upon the 

 watch, iri the rain, whilst Tupia, at the request of the 

 captain, used every dissuasive argument he could suggest 

 to prevent their carrying their apparent designs into 

 execution ; but his expostulations did not pacify them, 

 till some muskets were fired ; they then laid aside their 

 hostile intentions, and began to trade. They sold two of 

 their weapons without fraud ; but a third, for which they 

 had received cloth, they would not deliver up ; and 

 instead of paying any attention to the demand that was 

 made for it, they only laughed at them, and turned their 

 expostulations into ridicule. 



As the captain proposed to stay some days at this place, 

 that he might observe the transit of Mercury, he judged it 

 expedient to chastise these people for their insolence and 

 knavery ; accordingly, some small shot were fired upon 

 the principal offender, and a musket ball went through 



