The ships were running very short of firewood, and as there was none growing less than a mile and a half off the sea, Mr. King was ordered to try and purchase the fence surrounding the top of the Morai.  He hesitated, as he thought that: 

“even the bare mention of it might be considered by them [the priests] as a piece of shocking impiety.  In this, however, I found myself mistaken.  Not the smallest surprise was expressed at the application, and the wood was readily given, even without stipulating for anything in return.”

He saw the sailors were carrying away the figures as well, and spoke to Koah on the subject, who raised no objection, except with regard to the centre one, which was at once returned.  Burney says that two launch-loads for each ship were obtained, “a seasonable supply, as we had been four months since we wooded.”

On 31st January Whatman, one of the gunner’s crew, and greatly attached to Cook, died and was buried in the Morai.  Besant thinks that this had some influence on the minds of the natives, and may have contributed to Cook’s death, but as it was done by Terreeoboo’s special request it is difficult to see how the idea can be justified.

A large present.

Enquiries were several times made as to the date of the departure of the ships, and hints were given that supplies were running short; but at the same time they were informed that if they returned the next bread-fruit season, their wants should be again supplied.  When the news went forth that they would leave in two days, Terreeoboo issued a proclamation for food to be brought in so that he might make a large present on their departure; and on the appointed day Cook and King were invited to Terreeoboo’s residence, where they found all that had been given in exchange to the natives was laid out on the ground, and a short distance away a large quantity of vegetables of all kinds and a herd of pigs, which were handed over on a return present being made.  King says that the gift “far exceeded everything of the kind we had seen.”  The camp ashore was then broken up, and a great effort was made to persuade Cook to permit Mr. King to remain, as he had succeeded in making himself a great favourite with all.  A house that had been used by the sailmakers was accidentally set on fire, Burney says by natives looking for a knife lost by one of the sailors; but Besant, who places the fire at a later period, says it was done intentionally in revenge for the sailors having enticed some of the women there, and infers that Gilbert is his authority, but in the extracts he publishes from Gilbert’s manuscript there is nothing of the kind, and no one refers to any other fire till after Cook’s death.

CHAPTER 18. 1779 TO 1780.  THIRD VOYAGE CONCLUDED.