FIRST VOYAGE 81 



trated deeply into a tree at the distance of fifty yards. On 

 the 19th, they saw several of the women, who, as well as the 

 men, were quite naked. They were this day visited by ten 

 of the natives, who seemed resolved to have one of the 

 turtle that was on board, which being refused, they ex- 

 pressed the utmost rage and resentment. At length they 

 laid hands on two of the turtles, and drew them to the side 

 of the ship where the canoe lay ; but the sailors took them 

 away. They made several similar attempts, but being 

 equally unsuccessful, they leaped suddenly into their canoe, 

 and rowed off. . At this instant the Captain with Mr. Banks 

 and five or six seamen, went ashore, where they arrived be- 

 fore the Indians. As soon as the Indians landed, one of them 

 snatched a firebrand from under a pitch-kettle, and running 

 to the windward of what effects were on shore, set fire to 

 the dry grass, which burnt rapidly, damaged the smith's 

 forge, and endangered one of the tents. Appearing deter- 

 mined on farther mischief, a musket loaded with small shot, 

 was now fired, and one of them being wounded, they ran off. 



The natives continuing still in sight, a musket charged 

 with ball was fired near them : upon hearing which they 

 soon got out of sight : but their voices being soon heard 

 in the woods, the Captain, with a few of the men, went to 

 meet them. When they were in sight of each other, both 

 parties stopped, except an old Indian, who advanced before 

 the rest a little way, and speaking a few words, retreated 

 to his brethren. The English having seized some of their 

 darts, followed them about a mile, and then sat down ; the 

 Indians sitting about a hundred yards from them. The old 

 man again came forward, having in his hand a lance with a 

 point. He stopped and spoke several times ; on which the 

 Captain made signs of friendship. The old Indian now 

 turned to his companions, and having spoken to them, they 

 placed their lances against a tree, and came forward as in 

 friendship ; whereupon their darts, which had been taken, 

 were returned, and the whole quarrel seemed to be at an end. 

 When Captain Cook got on board, he saw the woods burning 

 at the distance of two miles from the fire thus kindled by 

 the natives. 



The master having been sent to search for a passage to 

 the northward, returned with an account that he could not 

 find any. By the night of the 20th, the fire had extended 

 many miles round them on the hills. The next day one 

 of the seamen, who had strayed from his company, met with 

 four Indians at dinner ; he was alarmed at this unexpected 

 meeting, but had prudence enough to conceal his appre- 

 hensions, and sitting down by them, gave them his knife, 

 which having all looked at, they returned. He would 



