Thus ended the troublesome transactions of this day, which I have been the more particular in relating, because it shews what great confidence this brave old chief put in us; it also in some degree shews, that friendship is sacred with them.  Oree and I were professed friends in all the forms customary among them; and he seemed to think that this could not be broken by the act of any other persons.  Indeed this seemed to be the great argument he made use of to his people, when they opposed his going into my boat.  His words were to this effect:—­“Oree (meaning me, for so I was always called) and I are friends; I have done nothing to forfeit his friendship; why then should I not go with him?” We, however, may never find another chief who will act in the same manner, under similar circumstances.  It may be asked, What had he to fear? to which I answer, Nothing.  For it was not my intention to hurt a hair of his head, or to detain him a moment longer than he desired.  But how was he or the people to know this?  They were not ignorant, that if he was once in my power, the whole force of the island could not take him from me, and that, let my demands for his ransom have been ever so high, they must have complied with them.  Thus far their fears, both for his and their own safety, were founded in reason.

On the 7th, early in the morning, while the ships were unmooring, I went to pay my farewell visit to Oree, accompanied by Captain Furneaux and Mr Forster.  We took with us for a present, such things as were not only valuable, but useful.  I also left with him the inscription plate he had before in keeping, and another small copper-plate, on which were engraved these words:  “Anchored here, his “Britannic Majesty’s ships Resolution and Adventure, September, 1773,” together with some medals, all put up in a bag; of which the chief promised to take care, and to produce to the first ship or ships that should arrive at the island.  He then gave me a hog; and, after trading for six or eight more, and loading the boat with fruit, we took leave, when the good old chief embraced me with tears in his eyes.  At this interview nothing was said about the remainder of Mr Sparrman’s clothes.  I judged they were not brought in; and for that reason did not mention them, lest I should give the chief pain about things I did not give him time to recover; for this was early in the morning.

When we returned to the ships, we found them crowded round with canoes full of hogs, fowls, and fruit, as at our first arrival.  I had not been long on board, before Oree himself came to inform me, as we understood, that the robbers were taken, and to desire us to go on shore, either to punish, or to see them punished; but this could not be done, as the Resolution was just under sail, and the Adventure already out of the harbour.  The chief stayed on board till we were a full half league out at sea; then took a most affectionate leave of me; and went away in a canoe, conducted by one man and himself; all the others having gone long before.  I was sorry that it was not convenient for me to go on shore with him, to see in what manner these people would have been punished; for I am satisfied, this was what brought him on board.