Market spoilt.

The Marquesas were reached on 7th April, and after a narrow escape from running on the rocks, satisfactory anchorage was obtained, and they were visited by some of the natives, from whom breadfruit and fish were purchased.  The next day further trading was done, nails being the chief medium of exchange, but the natives were inclined to be smart in their dealings, and on several occasions obtained payment without delivery.  Cook here suffered from a relapse, but was able to get about, and after warning the officer on watch to keep a smart look-out, or something of importance would be stolen, took his seat in a boat to go in search of a better anchorage.  He was then informed that a stanchion had been stolen from the gangway, and the thief had got away to his canoe on the other side of the ship.  He ordered a shot to be fired over the canoes, but no one was to be hurt, and he would pull round and secure the thief.  The order was apparently misunderstood, for the thief was killed, and the rest of the natives hurried ashore.  Soon after trading recommenced, and the lesson appeared forgotten, for an attempt was made to steal the kedge anchor by which the ship was being warped nearer the shore.  Cook landed, and the trading went on as if nothing out of the common had occurred, and some pigs (so small that it required forty or fifty to provide one meal for the crew!) and fruit were purchased; but in the afternoon, when the boats went in for water, all the natives had disappeared.  This Cook attributed to his not being with them, for the next morning, when he landed, trading was resumed.  A short trip was made in the boats along the coast, and when they returned it was found the market was closed.  It seems one of the young gentlemen had given a small handful of red feathers he had obtained at Tonga for a small pig, and now nothing else would be accepted, so they sailed for Otaheite on the 11th.  Cook was very much annoyed at the ill success in obtaining fresh provisions, for though none of the crew were ill, he thought they stood in need of a change of food.  He describes the inhabitants as the finest race he had seen in the South Seas, almost as fair as Europeans, and their language very similar to that of Otaheite.  Their arms consisted of clubs, spears, and slings, the two former very neatly made, and with the latter they threw stones a considerable distance but without accuracy.  Mr. Forster managed to secure a quantity of small birds with very beautiful plumage.

On the 17th April they sighted the George Islands, discovered by Byron (native name, Tiookea), but, after sending the Master to report on the lagoon, Cook decided it was too dangerous to enter, and Mr. Cooper went off with two boats to see if it were possible to trade.  He obtained a few dogs and coconuts, but the attitude of the natives was so uncertain he would not land, and returned to the ship.  One of the sailors exchanged a plantain for a dog, so it was concluded the fruit