SECOND VOYAGE 135 



had his death been occasioned by any other means than 

 by sickness. 



Nothing worthy of note happened on the 20th, till the 

 dusk of the evening, when one of the natives made off with 

 a musket belonging to the guard on shore. Captain Cook 

 was present when this happened, and sent some of his 

 people after him, which would have been to little purpose 

 had not some of the natives, of their own accord, pursued 

 the thief. They knocked him down, took from him the 

 musket, and brought it back. Fear on this occasion, 

 certainly operated more with them than principle. They, 

 however, deserve to be applauded for this act of justice. 



In the evening Captain Cook was informed that Wahea- 

 toua was come into the neighbourhood, and wanted to see 

 him. In consequence of this information, he determined 

 to wait one day longer, in order to have an interview with 

 this prince. Accordingly, early the next morning he set 

 out, in company with Captain Furneaux, Mr. Forster, and 

 several of the natives. They found him seated on a stool, 

 with a circle of people round him. They knew each other 

 at first sight, though they had not met since 1769. At 

 that time he was but a boy, and went by another name ; 

 but upon the death of his father he took his present title. 



After the first salutation was over, having seated the 

 Captain on the same stool with himself, and the other 

 gentlemen on the ground, he began to inquire after several 

 by name, who were engaged in the former voyage. He next 

 inquired how long they would stay ; and when Captain 

 Cook told him no longer than next day, he seemed sorry, 

 asked the Captain to stay some months, and at last came 

 down to five days, promising in that time he should have 

 hogs in plenty. 



During the time they staid, he never suffered Captain 

 Cook to go from his side where he was seated. At length 

 they took leave, in order to return on board to dinner. In 

 consequence of this interview with the chief, they now got 

 as much fresh pork as gave the crews of both ships a meal. 

 The 24th, early in the morning, they put to sea with a 

 light land breeze. 



The fruits they got here greatly contributed towards the 

 recovery of the Adventure's sick people. Many of them 

 who had been so ill as not to be able to move without 

 assistance, were in this short time so far recovered that 

 they could walk about of themselves. It was not till the 

 evening of this day that they arrived in Matavia Bay. 



Before they came to an anchor, their decks were crowded 

 with the natives, many of whom Captain Cook knew, and 

 almost all of them knew him. A great crowd was assembled 



