174 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



therefore, sent for the surgeon to dress his wounds, which 

 were riot dangerous. In the niveantime, he addressed several 

 people for the adze ; particularly an elderly woman, who 

 had always'a great deal to say to him from his first landing ; 

 but on this occasion she gave her tongue full scope. The 

 Captain understood but little of her eloquence ; but when 

 she found he was determined, she and three or four more 

 women went away, and soon after the adze was brought 

 him, but he saw her no more. This he was sorry for, as 

 he wished to make her a present, in return for the part 

 she had taken in all their transactions. 



After leaving Rotterdam, or Anamocka, on the 30th, 

 they saw the summit of Amattafoa, but not clear enough 

 to determine, with certainty, whether there was a volcano 

 or no ; but everything they could see concurred to make 

 them believe there was. 



As the Captain intended to get to the south, in order to 

 explore the land with might lie there, they continued to 

 ply between the isle of Lepers and Aurora ; and on the 

 19th of July, the last-mentioned isle bore south, distant 

 twenty miles. 



At day-break, on the 21st, they found themselves before 

 the channel that divides Whitsuntide Island from the South 

 Land, which is above two leagues over. Having sent two 

 armed boats to sound, and look for anchorage, they soon 

 followed. 



Next morning early, a good many of the natives came 

 round them, some in canoes, and others swimming. The 

 Captain soon prevailed on one to come on board ; which 

 he no sooner did, than he was followed by more than he 

 desired ; so that not only the deck, but rigging, was 

 presently filled with them. He took four into the cabin, and 

 gave them various articles, which they showed to those in 

 the canoes, and seemed much pleased with their reception. 

 While he was thus making friends with those in the cabin, 

 an accident happened that threw all into confusion, but 

 in the end proved advantageous. A fellow in a canoe 

 having been refused admittance into one of the boats that 

 lay along side, bent his bow to shoot a poisoned arrow 

 at the boat-keeper. Some of his countrymen prevented his 

 doing it that instant, and gave time to acquaint the Captain 

 with it. The fellow, however, seemed resolved, and 

 directed his bow again to the boat-keeper ; but, on the 

 Captain calling to him, pointed it at him. Having a 

 musket in his hand loaded with small shot, he gave him 

 the contents. This staggered him for a moment, but did 

 not prevent him from holding his bow still in the attitude 

 of shooting. Another discharge of the same nature made 



