382 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



fired at some canoes there were attempting to get out, un- 

 fortunately had killed a chief of the first rank. The news 

 of his death arrived at the village where Captain Cook was, 

 just as he had left the king and was walking slowly toward 

 the shore. The ferment it occasioned was very conspicuous; 

 the women arid children were immediately sent oft, and 

 the men put on their war mats, and armed themselves with 

 spears and stones. One of the natives, having in his hands 

 a stone and a long iron spike (which they called a pahooa), 

 came up to the Captain, flourishing his weapon by way 

 of defiance, and threatening to throw the stone. The 

 Captain desired him to desist, but the man persisting in his 

 insolence, he was at length provoked to fire a load of small 

 shot. The man having his mat on, which the shot was not 

 able to penetrate, this had no other effect than to irritate 

 and encourage them. Several stones were thrown at the 

 marines, and one of the earees attempted to stab Mr. 

 Phillips with his pahooa, but failed in the attempt, and 

 received from him a blow with the butt-end of his musket. 

 Captain Cook now fired his second barrel loaded with ball, 

 and killed one of the foremost of the natives. A general 

 attack with stones immediately followed, which was 

 answered by a discharge of musketry from the marines and 

 the people in the boats. The islanders, contrary to the 

 expectations of every one, stood the fire with great firmness ; 

 and before the marines had time to reload, they broke in 

 upon them with dreadful shouts and yells. What followed 

 was a scene of the utmost horror and confusion. 



" Four of the marines were cut off amongst the rocks 

 in their retreat, and fell a sacrifice to the fury of the enemy ; 

 three more were dangerously wounded, and the lieutenant, 

 who had received a stab between the shoulders with a 

 pahooa, having fortunately reserved his fire, shot the 

 man who had wounded him just as he was going to repeat 

 his blow. Our unfortunate commander, the last time he 

 was seen distinctly, was standing at the water's edge, and 

 calling out to the boats to cease firing and to pull in. 

 Whilst he faced the natives none of them had offered him 

 any violence, but having turned about to give his orders 

 to the boats, he was stabbed in the back and fell with his 

 face into the water. On seeing him fall, the islanders set up 

 a great shout, and his body was immediately dragged on 

 shore and surrounded by the enemy, who, snatching the 

 dagger out of each other's hands, shewed a savage eagerness 

 to have a share in his destruction. 



" Thus fell our great and excellent commander I After 

 a life of so much distinguished and successful enterprise, his 

 death, as far as regards himself, cannot be reckoned 



