306 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



evening ol the 28th, for that island, and desired me to 

 follow down the next day with the ships. This was my 

 intention, but the wind would not admit of our getting to 

 sea. But the same wind which kept us in the harbour 

 brought Oreo back from Bolabola with the two deserters. 

 They had reached Otaha the same night they deserted, but 

 finding it impossible to get to any of the islands to the 

 eastward for want of wind, they had proceeded to Bolabola, 

 and from thence to the small island Toobaee, where they 

 were taken. As soon as they were on board the three 

 prisoners were released. Thus ended an affair which had 

 given me much trouble and vexation. Nor would I have 

 exerted myself so resolutely on the occasion but for the 

 reason before mentioned, and to save the son of a brother 

 officer from being lost to his country. 



" The wind continuing contrary, confined us in the 

 harbour till the morning of the 7th of December, when we 

 took the advantage of a light breeze at north-west, and 

 with the assistance of all the boats got out to sea. 



" As soon as we had got clear of the harbour we took 

 our leave of Ulietea and steered for Bolabola. Oreo and 

 six or eight men more took a passage with us. My sole 

 object in visiting this island was to get possession of an 

 anchor which M. Bougainville had lost at Otaheite ; it was 

 taken up there and sent to the chief of this place as a 

 present. I wanted it to fabricate hatchets and other iron 

 tools, which we had almost expended in exchange for re- 

 freshments, and we now wanted to create a new stock of 

 trading articles. 



" We landed where the natives directed us, and soon 

 after I was introduced to Opoony the chief, in the midst 

 of a great concourse of people. Having no time to lose, 

 as soon as the necessary formality of compliments was 

 over, I asked the chief to give me the anchor, and produced 

 the present I had prepared for him, consisting of a linen 

 night-gown, a shirt, some gauze handkerchiefs, a looking- 

 glass, some beads and other toys, and six axes. Upon 

 the receipt of these presents he ordered it to be delivered. 

 Having thus completed my negotiation I returned on board, 

 hoisted in the boats, and made sail from the island to the 

 north. 



" When we consider that this island is not more than 

 eight leagues in compass, it is rather remarkable that its 

 people should have attempted or have been able to achieve 

 the conquest of Ulietea and Otaha, the former of which 

 islands is of itself at least double its size. 



" How high the Bolabola men are now in estimation at 

 Otaheite may be inferred from Monsieur Bougainville's 



