350 MYSTIC ISLES 



The discoverers reported that the Tahitians and all 

 other Polynesians were thieves and liars, for the reason 

 that they often seized pieces of iron, tools, and firearms 

 that they saw on the ships or ashore in the houses oc- 

 cupied by the first whites, and then lied about their ac- 

 tions. The whites killed scores for these crimes, one of 

 the initial murders of Cook's crew being the shooting of 

 Chief Kapupuu as he departed in his canoe from their 

 ship with some bits of metal he had taken. Malo, the 

 native historian, who heard the account from eye-wit- 

 nesses, explained the incident as follows, first mention- 

 ing the sighting of Cook's vessels and the wonder of the 

 natives : 



One said to another, "What is that great thing with 

 branches?" Others said, "It is a forest that has sHd down into 

 the sea," and the gabble and noise was great. Then the chiefs 

 ordered some natives to go in a canoe and observe and examine 

 well that wonderful thing. They went, and when they came to 

 the ship, they saw the iron that was attached to the outside of 

 the ship, and they were greatly rejoiced at the quantity of iron. 



Because the iron was known before that time from wood 

 with iron [in or on it] that had formerly, drifted ashore, but it 

 was in small quantity, and here was plenty. And they entered 

 on board, and they saw tliQ people with white foreheads, bright 

 eyes, loose garments, corner-shaped heads, and unintelligible 

 speech. 



Then they thought that the people [on board] were all 

 women, because their heads were so like the women's heads of 

 that period. They observed the quantity of iron on board of 

 the ship, and they were filled with wonder and delight. 



Then they returned and told the chiefs what they had seen, 

 and how great a quantity of iron. On hearing this, one of the 

 warriors of the chief said, "I will go and take forcible posses- 



