In the afternoon, only a few of those who lived in the neighbourhood, with whom we were now upon a tolerable footing, made their appearance at the watering-place.  Paowang brought us an axe which had been left by our people, either in the woods or on the beach, and found by some of the natives.  A few other articles were afterwards returned to us, which either they had stolen, or we had lost by our negligence, so careful were they now not to offend us in this respect.

Early the next morning, I sent the launch, protected by a party of marines in another boat, to take in ballast, which was wanted.  This work was done before breakfast; and after it, she was sent for wood and water, and with her the people employed in this service, under the protection of a serjeant’s guard, which was now thought sufficient, as the natives seemed to be pretty well reconciled to us.  I was told, that they asked our people to go home with them, on condition they stripped naked as they were.  This shews that they had no design to rob them, whatever other they might have.[2]

On the 9th, I sent the launch for more ballast, and the guard and wooders to the usual place.  With these I went myself, and found a good many of the natives collected together, whose behaviour, though armed, was courteous and obliging; so that there was no longer any occasion to mark out the limits by a line; they observed them without this precaution.  As it was necessary for Mr Wales’s instruments to remain on shore all the middle of the day, the guard did not return to dinner, as they had done before, till relieved by others.  When I came off, I prevailed on a young man, whose name was Wha-a-gou, to accompany me.  Before dinner I shewed him every part of the ship; but did not observe that any thing fixed his attention a moment, or caused in him the least surprise.  He had no knowledge of goats, dogs, or cats, calling them all hogs (Booga or Boogas).  I made him a present of a dog and a bitch, as he shewed a liking to that kind of animal.  Soon after he came on board, some of his friends followed in a canoe, and enquired for him, probably doubtful of his safety.  He looked out of the quarter gallery, and having spoken to them, they went ashore, and quickly returned with a cock, a little sugar-cane, and a few cocoa-nuts, as a present to me.  Though he sat down with us, he did but just taste our salt pork, but eat pretty heartily of yam, and drank a glass of wine.  After dinner I made him presents, and then conducted him, ashore.[3]

As soon as we landed, the youth and some of his friends took me by the hand, with a view, as I understood, to conduct me to their habitations.  We had not gone far, before some of them, for what reason I know not, were unwilling I should proceed; in consequence of which the whole company stopped; and, if I was not mistaken, a person was dispatched for something or other to give me; for I was desired to sit down and wait, which I accordingly did.  During this