THIRD VOYAGE 379 



was in consequence of some theft, and Captain Cook 

 ordered me to follow him with a marine armed, and to 

 endeavour to seize the people as they came on shore. 

 Accordingly we ran toward the place where we supposed 

 the canoe wpuld land, but were too late ; the people having 

 quitted it, and made their escape into the country before 

 our arrival ; but the goods stolen had been recovered. 



" During our absence a difference of a more serious and 

 unpleasant nature had happened. The officer who had been 

 sent in the small boat, and was returning on board with the 

 goods, which had been restored, observing Captain Cook 

 and me engaged in the pursuit of the offenders, thought it 

 his duty to seize the canoe, which was left drawn up on 

 the shore. Unfortunately this canoe belonged to Pareea, 

 who arriving at the same moment from on board the 

 Discovery, claimed his property with many protestations 

 of his innocence. The officer refusing to give it up, and 

 being joined by the crew of the pinnace, a scuffle ensued, 

 in which Pareea was knocked down by a violent blow upon 

 his head with an oar. The natives, who were collected 

 about the spot, and had hitherto been peaceable spectators, 

 immediately attacked our people with such a shower of 

 stones as forced them to retreat with great precipitation, 

 and swim off to a rock at some distance from the shore. 

 The pinnace was immediately ransacked by the islanders ; 

 and but for the timely interposition of Pareea, who seemed 

 to have recovered from the blow, and forgot it at the same 

 instant, would soon have been entirely demolished. Having 

 driven away the crowd, he made signs to our people that 

 they might come and take possession of the pinnace, and 

 that he would endeavour to get back the things which had 

 been taken out of it. After their departure he followed 

 them in his canoe with a midshipman's cap, some other 

 trifling articles of the plunder, and with much apparent 

 concern at what had happened, asked if the Orono would 

 kill him, and whether he would permit him to come on 

 board next day ? On being assured that he should be well 

 received, he joined noses (as their custom is) with the 

 officers, in token of friendship, and paddled over to the 

 village of Kowrowa. 



" When Captain Cook was informed of what had passed, 

 he expressed much uneasiness at it, and, as we were return- 

 ing on board, * I am afraid,' said he, * that these people will 

 oblige me to use some violent measures ; for (he added) 

 they must not be left to imagine that they have gained an 

 advantage over us/ 



" Next morning, the 14th, at daylight, I went on board 

 the Resolution for the time-keeper, and in my way was 



