Another island called Tappuhoi, situated likewise to the eastward, was described to me by Tinah, the inhabitants of which were said to be all warriors, and that the people of Otaheite did not dare to go there.  He told me that very lately a canoe from Tappuhoi was at the island Maitea; that as soon as they landed they began to fight with the people of Maitea who killed them all except a young lad and a woman who have since been at Otaheite.  I saw the boy but could get no information from him.  It is most probable that this unfortunate visit of the canoe from Tappuhoi was not designed but occasioned by adverse winds which forced them so far from their own island, and that the people of Maitea began the attack, taking advantage of their superior numbers, on account of some former quarrel.

Thursday 13.

I had a large company to dine with me today.  Some of my constant visitors had observed that we always drank His Majesty’s health as soon as the cloth was removed; but they were by this time become so fond of wine that they would frequently remind me of the health in the middle of dinner by calling out King George Earee no Brittannee; and would banter me if the glass was not filled to the brim.  Nothing could exceed the mirth and jollity of these people when they met on board.

I was assured by Oediddee and several others that the vines planted at the island Huaheine by Captain Cook had succeeded and bore fruit; and that some of the other plants, both at Huaheine and at Oaitepeha, a district on the south-east part of Otaheite, had been preserved and were in a thriving state.  I was likewise informed that there was a bull and a cow alive at Otaheite but on different parts of the island, the former at a place called Itteah, the latter at the district of Tettaha.  All the rest were taken away or destroyed by the people of Eimeo.  As Tettaha was at no great distance I determined to go thither myself the first opportunity, and make enquiries in hopes that the breed might still be preserved.

I had much discourse with my guests about Omai:  they confirmed to me that he died about thirty months after Captain Cook left the islands.  Soon after Captain Cook’s departure from Huaheine there were some disputes between the people of that island and those of Ulietea in which also the natives of Bolabola took a part.  Omai, who was become of consequence from the possessing three or four muskets and some ammunition, was consulted on the occasion.  Such was his opinion and assurances of success that a war was determined on and took place immediately.  Victory soon followed through the means of those few arms and many of the Ulietea and Bolabola men were killed.  In this contest their flints proved bad, or probably the locks of the muskets had got out of order:  this they remedied by a lighted stick, one man presenting the musket and another with the burnt stick setting fire to the priming; without which contrivance their arms would have proved useless.