THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
45 
the women and children were immediately fent off; and 
the men put on their war-mats, and armed themfelves with 
fpears and ftones. One of the natives, having in his hands 
a ftone, and a long iron fpike (which they call a pahooa) 
came up to the Captain, flourifhing his weapon, by way of 
defiance, and threatening to throw the flone. The Captain 
defired him to defift; but the man perliftkig in his infolenee, 
he was at length provoked to fire a load of fmall-fhot. The 
man having his mat on, which the fhot were not able to pe¬ 
netrate, this had no other effeCt than to irritate and encou¬ 
rage them. Several ftones were thrown at the marines; and 
one of the Erees attempted to ftab Mr. Phillips with his 
pahooa ; but failed in the attempt, and received from him a 
blow with the butt end of his mufquet. Captain Cook now 
fired his fecond barrel, loaded with ball, and killed one of 
the foremoft of the natives.. A general attack with ftones 
immediately followed,, which was anfwered by a difcharge 
of mufquetry from the marines, and the people in the boats. 
The illanders,. contrary to the expectations of every one* 
flood the fire with great firmnefs; and before the marines 
had time to reload, they broke in upon them with dreadful 
fhouts and yells. What followed was a.fcene of the utmoft 
horror and confufion. 
Four of the marines were cut off amongft the rocks in 
their retreat, and fell a facrifice to the fury of the enemy ; 
three more were dangeroufly wounded; and the Lieutenant, 
w T ho had received a ftab between the fhoulders with a pa¬ 
hooa , having fortunately referred his fire, fhot the man vdio 
had wounded him juft as he was going to repeat his blow. 
Our unfortunate Commander, the laft time he was feen dif- 
tin&ly, was Handing at the water’s edge, and calling out to 
the boats to ceafe firing, and to pull in. If it be true, as fome 
of 
I 779 > 
February. 
----* 
