On the 28th, Waheatua, King of Tiarabu, sent a present of a hog, desiring a few red feathers in return; and these, with some other things, were accordingly sent him.
Next day, Otoo, Towha, and several other grandees, came on board with valuable presents of provisions and curiosities; and at this time Towha, as well as the rest, accepted liberal returns. On this day, a remarkable occurrence took place. One of the natives, having been caught in the act of stealing a water-cask the night before, was now in irons on board, where the visitors saw him. His crime was stated to them; yet the King begged that he might be set at liberty. The Captain replied, that he punished his own people when they stole from the Tahitians, and was determined that this man should not escape; and as he knew that Otoo would not punish him, he was resolved to do it himself. The man was accordingly taken ashore, and tied up to a post, attended by the guard under arms. Otoo, with his sister and others, now begged hard for the culprit's release, while Towha remained silent. The Captain expostulated with Otoo, on the bad conduct of this man, and others of his subjects, in stealing from the British, who had been their good friends, and took nothing from them without paying for it; he then plainly told the King, that this man must be made an example, to deter others from similar crimes, and thus prevent the loss of life; because, if such practices continued, the thieves would very likely be shot dead. With these arguments Otoo appeared so far satisfied, that he now only requested that the culprit might not be killed. Upon this, the Captain, in the presence of a great crowd, which he commanded
