of the kind treatment which the boys had received. They invited the Commander to return into the bay, which he was now leaving; but he chose rather to proceed southward along the coast, in quest of a better harbour, and to make further researches. When the canoes departed, three men were accidentally left behind; and they were so far from feeling uneasy, that they entertained the ship's company with dancing and singing. Next morning, however, they were in great consternation, and uttered loud wailings, with many tears, when they found that the ship had carried them so far from home. But two canoes having approached, they invited the people to come alongside and receive them, assuring their countrymen, that the strangers in the ship did not eat men. In one of the canoes was a chief, who came on board, handsomely dressed, and having a patoo-patoo, a short weapon like a battledoor, made of bone, instead of the usual material, green talc, or jade. The three men went away with him, to the satisfaction of all parties.
In coasting along, our navigators observed several patches of cultivated ground; and saw also some fortified towns, inclosed with high rails, situated on detached rocks, or other strong positions. The natives, at different points, came off in canoes; but generally kept at a distance. On the 14th, five large canoes, with 80 or 90 aimed men on board, approached the ship, and began to sing their war song, and brandish their spears for action. Tupia informed them, that there were weapons on board, which would, like thunder, destroy them in a moment, if they persisted in any hostile attempt; and a shot being then fired wide of them, they were so alarmed at the flash, the report, and the sight of
