this melancholy accident, all the natives fled; but the Captain prevailed on some of them to come alongside his boat, and allayed their fears by a few presents.
A suitable mooring place being found, the ship was warped into it by means of a kedge anchor; and while this was doing, two natives in a canoe, notwithstanding the alarming event that had just happened, attempted to steal the buoy; and were not driven from their purpose till a shot was fired over them, happily the last shot which there was occasion to fire at any of them. A man soon after came and presented a pig, for which he received a hatchet; and a brisk trade for refreshments was then re-established.
The Captain, during his stay, went several times on shore, where the islanders received him very courteously. They were sensible that he was their friend, but were afraid of his people: and hence, when he sent a party on shore, and remained on board, they fled in terror; but when he went himself, they crowded around him. The trade for pigs, and other refreshments, was carried on some days with advantage; but on monday the 11th, the market was found to be ruined, through the imprudence of some young gentlemen, who had given the natives, in barter, some articles which they valued far more than nails. One of them had given for a pig a very large quantity of red feathers, obtained at Tongataboo; and, after getting so rich a prize for a single pig, they would part with no more, on any reasonable terms. This induced the Captain immediately to quit the Marquesas, knowing that the Society Islands could furnish a better supply. He therefore sailed in the afternoon from
