$8 AVOYAGETO 
1777. where we arrived about eight o’clock in the evening. At 
that time, no account of the goat had been received; fo 
that the operations of this day had not produced the de- 
lired effedt. 
Friday 1©. Early next morning, I difpatched one of Omai’s men to 
Maheine, with this peremptory meflage, that, if he per- 
lifted in his refufal, I would not leave him a Angle canoe 
upon the illand, and that he might expect a continuation 
of hoftilities as long as the ftolen animal remained in his 
pofleflion. And, that the meftenger might fee that I was 
in earneft, before he left me, I fent the carpenter to break 
up three or four canoes that lay afhore at the head of the 
harbour. The plank was carried on board, as materials 
for building a houfe for Omai, at the place where he in¬ 
tended to fettle. I afterward went, properly accompanied, 
to the next harbour, where we broke up three or four 
more canoes, and burnt an equal number; and then re¬ 
turned on board about feven in the evening. On my ar¬ 
rival, I found that the goat had been brought back, about 
half an hour before; and, on inquiry, it appeared that it 
had come from the very place where I had been told, the 
day before, by the inhabitants, that they knew nothing of 
it. But in conlequence of the meffage I fent to the Chief 
in the morning, it ivas judged prudent to trifle with me no 
longer. 
Thus ended this troublefome, and rather unfortunate, bu- 
ftnefs; which could not be more regretted on the part of the 
natives, than it was on mine. And it grieved me to refledt, 
that, after refilling the prefling folicitations of my friends 
at Otaheite to favour their invalion of this illand, I fhould, 
fo foon, find myfelf reduced to the neceflity of engaging in 
hoftilities againft its inhabitants, which, perhaps, did them 
more 
