1787. 



200 AVOYAGETOTHE 



taken care not to lodge them in his houfe, but had de- 

 pofited them in a hole in the ground at a convenient dif- 

 March. tance from the houfe. The meffenger ftill perfifted in his 

 *^'* telling him where they were, and the old man continuing 

 obftinate, the meffenger caught hold of him by the 

 throat, and threatened that if he would not deliver up 

 his goods he would murder him ; and indeed he had 

 nearly ftrangled him before he would fhew him where his 

 treafure was depoHted. At laft the old man was obliged 

 to difcover all, which was immediately taken away by the 

 meffenger. No-ho-mi-te-hi-tee landed with his canoe juft 

 at the time, and faw his father in this {ituation, but did 

 not interfere ; perhaps not for want of courage, but dread- 

 ing to lay hands on a meffenger of the king's, who are 

 held in great efteem. He left his father to get out of the 

 affair, and came on board as before related. Being pretty 

 late in the evening, and knowing we never allowed any of 

 them to come on board in the night, he took good care to 

 call frequently out for Po-pootee, in a moft piteous tone, to 

 let me know it was he, and that he wanted to come on 

 board, which he did. He then told me his forrowful tale, 

 and wanted me to punifh the meffenger for his ill behaviour ; 

 but had I been inclined to do it, I could not ; for he 

 never after that put himfelf into my power. No-ho-mi-te- 

 hi-tee in a few days after that, being tired of living on fait 

 provilions, left me; and I had no opportunity of feeing 

 the king or Abbenooe before I left the iflands, to inquire 

 what was done about it. From this time to the 3d, em- 

 ployed in getting provifions, when we weighed and came 

 to fail (Queen Charlotte in company), and flood out of 

 the bay, with an intention to proceed immediately to the 

 coaft, leaving for the fecond time thefe friendly illands. 



13 



