THIRD VOYAGE 385 



" Having placed the marines on the top of the morai, 

 which formed a strong and advantageous post, and left the 

 command with Mr. Bligh, giving him the most positive 

 directions to act entirely on the defensive, I went on board 

 the Discovery, in order to represent to Captain Clerke the 

 dangerous situation of our affairs. As soon as I quitted the 

 spot the natives began to annoy our people with stones, and 

 I had scarcely reached the ship before I heard the firing of 

 the marines. I therefore returned instantly on shore, where 

 I found things growing every moment more alarming. The 

 natives were arming and putting on their mats, and their 

 numbers increased very fast. I could also perceive several 

 large bodies marching towards us along the cliff which 

 separates the village of Kakooa from the north side of the 

 bay, where the village of Kowrowa is situated. 



" They began at first to attack us with stones from behind 

 the walls of their inclosures, and finding no resistance on our 

 part, they soon grew more daring. A few resolute fellows 

 having crept along the beach under cover of the rocks, 

 suddenly made their appearance at the foot of the morai, 

 with a design, as it seemed, of storming it on the side next 

 the sea, which was its only accessible part, and were not 

 dislodged till after they had stood a considerable number of 

 shot, and seen one of their party fall. 



" About this time, a strong reinforcement from both ships 

 having landed, the natives retreated behind their walls ; 

 which giving me access to our friendly priests, I sent one of 

 them to endeavour to bring their countrymen to some 

 terms, and to propose to them that if they would desist 

 from throwing stones I would not permit our men to fire. 

 This truce was agreed to, and we were suffered to launch 

 the mast and carry off the sails and our astronomical 

 apparatus unmolested. As soon as we had quitted the 

 morai they took possession of it, and some of them threw a 

 few stones, but without doing us any mischief. 



" It was half an hour past eleven o'clock when I got on 

 board the Discovery, where I found no decisive plan had 

 been adopted for our future proceedings. The restitution 

 of the boat, and the recovery of the body of Captain Cook, 

 were the objects which, on all hands, we agreed to insist on, 

 and it was my opinion that some vigorous steps should be 

 taken, in case the demand of them was not immediately 

 complied with. However, after mature deliberation, it was 

 determined to accomplish these points by conciliatory 

 measures if possible. 



" In pursuance of this plan, it was determined that I 

 should proceed toward the shore with the boats of both 

 ships, well manned and armed, with a view to bring the 

 68 M 



