liv 



PREFACK. 



which means several innocent person? were wound- 

 ed. JVotwithstandin^ this severity, the good nature 

 of the people was such that they did not forsake the 

 trading-place, or take umbrage at our proceedings, but 

 heard with unconcern the balls whistling above their 

 heads, A few hours afterwardsy one of them was 

 equally nimble on board our ship; and, luckily, 

 slipjung imo the master's cabin, stole from thence 

 several mathematical books, a sword, a ruler, and 

 a number of trifles, of which he could never make 

 the least use. He was seen making his escape in a 

 canoe ; and a boat being despatched after him, he 

 threw all the stolen effects overboard. These were 

 picked up by another of the boats, whilst the first 

 continued in pursuit of the thief. Our men fired a 

 musket into the stern of his canoe ; upon which he^ 

 and some others with hith, jumped into the sea* 

 The thief was still hunted with incredible eagerness, 

 but displayed a most wonderful agility ; diving se- 

 veral times under the boat, and once unshipping the 

 rudder. At last one of our people darted the boat- 

 hook at him ; and, catching him under the ribs, 

 dragged him into the boat. It is remarkable, that 

 even such a disposition to cruelty, as has been dis- 

 played in the pursuit of this poor wretch, did not 

 deprive us of the confidence and affection of his 

 countrymen."* No punishment infi cted for shoot- 

 ing men without Capt. Cook's orders, and in his 

 own presence. No disapprobation expressed by 

 him at this inhuman hunting match 1 



The foregoing are a few, and but a few speci- 

 mens of the " high honour and generosity," so tri- 

 umphantly insisted on by the Reviewer. But the 

 author forbears to trouble his readers with any more 

 from this particular author, who, notwithstanding 

 he on various occasions regrets the cruelties autho- 



^ Forster, vol. 1. 464, &c. 



