up vast quantities of fire and smoke, with a rumbling noise heard at a great distance.  We now made sail for the island; and, presently after, discovered a small inlet which had the appearance of being a good harbour.  In order to be better informed, I sent away two armed boats, under the command of Lieutenant Cooper, to sound it; and, in the meanwhile, we stood on and off with the ship, to be ready to follow, or give them any assistance they might want.  On the east point of the entrance, we observed a number of people, and several houses and canoes; and when our boats entered the harbour, they launched some, and followed them, but came not near.  It was not long before Mr Cooper made the signal for anchorage; and we stood in with the ship.  The wind being at west, and our course S.S.W., we borrowed close to the west point, and passed over some sunken rocks, which might have been avoided, by keeping a little more to the east, or about one-third channel over.  The wind left us as soon as we were within the entrance, and obliged us to drop an anchor in four fathoms water.  After this, the boats were sent again to sound; and, in the meantime, the launch was hoisted out, in order to carry out anchors to warp in by, as soon as we should be acquainted with the channel.

While we were thus employed, many of the natives got together in parties, on several parts of the shore, all armed with bows, spears, &c.  Some swam off to us, others came in canoes.  At first they were shy, and kept at the distance of a stone’s throw; they grew insensibly bolder; and, at last, came under our stern, and made some exchanges.  The people in one of the first canoes, after coming as near as they durst, threw towards us some cocoa-nuts.  I went into a boat and picked them up, giving them in return some cloth and other articles.  This induced others to come under the stern, and alongside, where their behaviour was insolent and daring.  They wanted to carry off every thing within their reach; they got hold of the fly of the ensign, and would have torn it from the staff; others attempted to knock the rings off the rudder; but the greatest trouble they gave us was to look after the buoys of our anchors, which were no sooner thrown out of our boats, or let go from the ship, than they got hold of them.  A few muskets fired in the air had no effect; but a four-pounder frightened them so much, that they quitted their canoes that instant, and took to the water.  But as soon as they found themselves unhurt, they got again into their canoes, gave us some halloos, flourished their weapons, and returned once more to the buoys.  This put us to the expence of a few musquetoon shot, which had the desired effect.  Although none were hurt, they were afterwards afraid to come near the buoys; very soon all retired on shore, and we were permitted to sit down to dinner undisturbed.