THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
79 
the beach, the Waterers did not meet with the lead oppofi- 1779. 
tion from the natives; who, notwithstanding our cautious , Febmary “. 
behaviour, came amongft us again, without the fmallefl ap¬ 
pearance of diffidence or apprehenfion. 
Early in the morning of the 20th, we had the fatisfaction Saturday 20. 
of getting the fore-maft hepped. It was an operation at¬ 
tended with great difficulty, and fome danger; our ropes 
being fo exceedingly rotten, that the purchafe gave way fe- 
veral times. 
Between ten and eleven o’clock, we faw a great number 
of people defcending the hill, which is over the beach, in 
a kind of proceffion, each man carrying a fugar-cane or 
two on his fhoulders, and bread-fruit, taro, and plantains 
in his hand. They were preceded by two drummers; who, 
when they came to the water-fide, fat down by a white flag, 
and began to beat their drums, while thofe who had fol¬ 
lowed them, advanced, one by one; and, having depoflted 
the prefents they had brought, retired in the fame order. 
Soon after, Eappo came in fight, in his long feathered cloak, 
bearing fomething with great folemnity in his hands ; and 
having placed himfelf on a rock, he made figns for a boat 
to be fent him. 
Captain Clerke, conjecturing that he had brought the 
bones of Captain Cook, which proved to be the faCt, went 
himfelf in the pinnace to receive them ; and ordered me to 
attend him in the cutter. When we arrived at the beach, 
Eappo came into the pinnace, and delivered to the Captain 
the bones wrapped up in a large quantity of fine new cloth, 
and covered with a fpotted cloak of black and white fea¬ 
thers. He afterward attended us to the Refolution; but 
could not be prevailed upon to go on board ; probably not 
choofing, from a fenfe of decency, to be prefent at the 
opening 
