THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
notwithftanding a fecond gun had been fired, Captain 
Gore thought it advifeable to land, and go in fearch of 
them, that no time might be loft in opening a trade for 
fuch provifions as the place could afford: with this view, 
he appointed me to accompany him, in the morning of the 
22d; and, as the wind at this time blew ftrong from the 
Eaft, we did not think it prudent to coaft in our boats to 
the town, which is fituated in the Eaft fide of the ifland, 
but rowed round the North point of the harbour. We 
had proceeded about two miles along the ftiore, when, ob- 
ferving a road that led into a wood, we landed. Here I 
quitted Captain Gore, taking with me a Midihipman, and 
four armed failors, and purfued the path, which feemed to 
point diredtly acrofs the illand. We proceeded through a 
thick wood, up a fteep hill, to the diftance of a mile, when, 
after defcending through a wood of the fame extent, on th.e 
other fide, we came out into a flat, open, fandy country, 
interfperfed with cultivated fpots of rice and tobacco, and 
groves of cabbage palm-trees, and cocoa-nut-trees. We 
here fpied two huts, fituated on the edge of the wood, to 
which we directed our courfe; and before we came up to 
them, were defcried by two men, who immediately ran 
away from us, notwithftanding all the peaceable and fup- 
plicating geftures we could devife. 
On reaching the huts, I ordered the party to ftay with¬ 
out, left the fight of fo many armed men fhould terrify the 
inhabitants, whilft I entered and reconnoitred alone. I 
found, in one of the huts, an elderly man, who was in a 
great fright, and preparing to make off with the moft va¬ 
luable of his effecfts that he could carry. However, I was 
fortunate enough, in a very little time, fo entirely to difpel 
his fears, that he came out, and called to the two men, who 
Vol. III. 3 M were 
449 
1780. 
January. 
V-„- J 
Saturday 22. 
