120 
A VOYAGE TO 
1777.. the two ohfervatories, and tents for the reception of a guard, 
^Februar) .^ and of fuch of our people whofe bufmefs might make it ne- 
ceffary for them to remain on fhore. 
We had not been long at anchor before feveral canoes, 
filled with natives, came along-fide of the fhips ; but very 
few of them would venture on board ; which appeared the 
more extraordinary, as I was well known to them all. There 
was one man in particular amongft them, whom I had 
treated with remarkable kindnefs, during the whole of my 
flay when I was laid here. Yet now, neither profefiions of^ 
friendfhip, nor prefents, could prevail upon him to come 
into the fhip. This fhynefs was to be accounted for only 
upon this fuppofition, that they were apprehenfive we had 
revifited their country, in order to revenge the death of 
Captain Furneaux’s people. Seeing Omai on board my fhip 
now, whom they mull have remembered to have feen on 
board the Adventure when the melancholy affair hap¬ 
pened, and whofe firft converfation with them, as they 
approached, generally turned on that fubjecSt, they muft 
be well affured that I was no longer a flranger to it. I 
thought it neceffary, therefore, to ufe every endeavour to 
affure them of the continuance of my friendfhip, and that 
I fhould not diflurb them on that account. I do not know 
whether this had any weight with them ; but certain it is, 
that they very foon laid afide all manner of reftraint and 
diftruft. 
Thurfday 13. On the 13th we fet up two tents, one from each fhip; on 
the fame fpot where we had pitched them formerly. The 
ohfervatories were at the fame time erected; and Meffrs. 
King and Bayly began their operations immediately, to find 
the rate of the time-keeper, and to make other obfervations. 
The remainder of the empty w r ater-cafks were alfo fent on 
fhore, 
