VOYAGE TO THE 
(HIAP. to reach her, plunged into the sea, and so surrounded her that she was 
obliged to put about to get rid of them. They all showed a friendly 
Nov. disposition, and we began to hope that they had forgotten the unpar- 
donable conduct of the American master, who carried several of the 
islanders away by force to colonize Masafuera. 
Immediately the noon observation was obtained, we ran along the 
western side of the island, towards the bay in which Cook and Perouse 
had both anchored. The natives, as before, followed along the coast, and 
lighted fires in different directions, the largest of which was opposite 
the landing-place. With a view to ascertain the feeling of the inha- 
bitants, and if possible to establish an amicable intercourse with them, I 
desired Lieutenant Peard to proceed with two boats to the shore, and by 
presents and kindness to endeavour to conciliate the people and to bring 
off what fruit and vegetables he could. Lieutenant Wainwright vras 
directed to accompany him ; and though I did not apprehend any hosti- 
lity, yet, as a precautionary measure, I armed the boats, and placed two 
marines in each. Their strength was further increased by several of the 
officers, and the naturalist. Thus equipped, they rowed for the landing- 
place in Cook’s Bay, while the ship remained at a short distance. The 
islanders were collected in great numbers, and were seen running to 
and fro exhibiting symptoms of expectation and delight. Some few, 
however, were observed throwing large stones at a mark behind a bank 
erected near the beach. 
As the boats approached, the anxiety of the natives was mani- 
fested by shouts, which overpowered the voices of the officers : and 
our boats, before they gained the beach, were surrounded by hundreds 
of swimmers, clinging to the gunwale, the stern, and the rudder, 
until they became unmanageable. They all appeared to be friendly 
disposed, and none came empty-handed. Bananas, yams, potatoes, 
sugar-cane, nets, idols, &c. were offered for sale, and some were even 
thrown into the boat, leaving their visiters to make what return they 
chose. Among the swimmers there were a great many females, 
who w'ere equally or more anxious to get into the boats than the 
men, and made use of every persuasion to induce the crew to 
