ther of them had been stolen, before this came back.
Next morning, the natives were found to have deserted the place, and it was learned that Maheine himself had removed. The Captain, perceiving, that the latter had resolved to steal what he had been refused, determined to make him return the goat and accordingly sent a boat, with two petty officers, to Watea, whither it was said to have been conveyed, to demand it of Hamoa, chief of that place; but the natives amused them with vain pretences, and the boat returned in the evening without it. Capt. Cook was now sorry that he had proceeded so far, but, with that firmness of purpose for which he was noted, he would not now retract, and resolved to recover the goat, whatever it might cost. Omai, and two old men, who had assisted him in recovering the other goat, advised him to march with a party through the country, and shoot every person that could be met with. This bloody counsel was of course rejected; but, on the morning of the 9th, a party of about 40 proceeded with the Captain into the interior, while three armed boats, commanded by Lieut. Williamson, were sent round to the west side of the island, to meet them. When the land party reached Watea, Hamoa, and such of his people as had not fled, denied that they had seen the goat, or knew any thing of it. The natives had been seen running to and fro with clubs and darts but seeing the Capt in's force, they gave up the idea of resisting. Omai was employed to warn them of the consequences of refusing to surrender the goat; and as they persisted in denying all knowledge of it, Capt. Cook burned six or eight houses, and two
