Being desirous of knowing the use of the stick which one of our visitors carried in his hand, I made signs to them to shew me; and so far succeeded, that one of them set up a piece of wood as a mark, and threw at it at the distance of about twenty yards.  But we had little reason to commend his dexterity; for, after repeated trials, he was still very wide from the object.  Omai, to shew them how much superior our weapons were to theirs, then fired his musquet at it, which alarmed them so much, that notwithstanding all we could do or say, they ran instantly into the woods.  One of them was so frightened, that he let drop an axe and two knives that had been given to him.  From us, however, they went to the place where some of the Discovery’s people were employed in taking water into their boat.  The officer of that party, not knowing that they had paid us so friendly a visit, nor what their intent might be, fired a musquet in the air, which sent them off with the greatest precipitation.

Thus ended our first interview with the natives.  Immediately after their final retreat, judging that their fears would prevent their remaining near enough to observe what was passing, I ordered the two pigs, being a boar and sow, to be carried about a mile within the woods at the head of the bay.  I saw them left there, by the side of a fresh-water brook.  A young bull and a cow, and some sheep and goats, were also, at first, intended to have been left by me, as an additional present to Van Diemen’s Land.  But I soon laid aside all thought of this, from a persuasion that the natives, incapable of entering into my views of improving their country, would destroy them.  If ever they should meet with the pigs, I have no doubt this will be their fate.  But as that race of animals soon becomes wild, and is fond of the thickest cover of the woods, there is great probability of their being preserved.  An open place must have been chosen for the accommodation of the other cattle; and, in such a situation, they could not possibly have remained concealed many days.

The morning of the 29th was ushered in with a dead calm, which continued all day, and effectually prevented our sailing.  I therefore sent a party over to the E. point of the bay to cut grass, having been informed that some of a superior quality grew there.  Another party, to cut wood, was ordered to go to the usual place, and I accompanied them myself.  We had observed several of the natives this morning sauntering along the shore, which assured us, that though their consternation had made them leave us so abruptly the day before, they were convinced that we intended them no mischief, and were desirous of renewing the intercourse.  It was natural that I should wish to be present on the occasion.