252 CAPTAIN COOK 



leave the bay should be stopped, having decided 

 to destroy them if necessary, in order to force the 

 islanders to give him back the stolen cutter. 



On February 14th Cook landed with a party 

 of nine marines under Lieutenant Phillips. He 

 set out towards the village of Kowrowa, where 

 the King lived. During his journey he was ac- 

 corded the marks of respect to which he was 

 accustomed. The natives prostrated themselves 

 as he passed, and oflfered him little pigs. 



Having arrived at the village, Cook met the 

 King's two sons, who brought him to their 

 father. Terreoboo accepted the invitation to 

 come with his sons to spend the day on board the 

 Resolution. Ignorant of the Captain's inten- 

 tions, he rose at once to go down towards the 

 shore, where his sons had already arrived and 

 taken their places happily in the English boat. 

 All at once Terreoboo's favourite wife — he had 

 several — who was the mother of the two princes, 

 approached the King and begged him tearfully 

 not to go on board the ship. At the same time 

 two chiefs appeared, and, joining their prayers 

 to those of the woman, forced Terreoboo to sit 

 down. The islanders were present in crowds at 

 this scene, and hustled round Cook and the King, 

 who began to tremble with fright. Several times 

 Cook persuaded him to come with him, and 



