At night I served a quarter of a breadfruit and a coconut to each person for supper and, a good fire being made, all but the watch went to sleep.

Saturday 2.

At daybreak the next morning I was pleased to find everyone’s spirits a little revived, and that they no longer regarded me with those anxious looks which had constantly been directed towards me since we lost sight of the ship:  every countenance appeared to have a degree of cheerfulness, and they all seemed determined to do their best.

As there was no certainty of our being supplied with water by the natives I sent a party among the gullies in the mountains with empty shells to see what could be found.  In their absence the natives came about us as I expected, and in greater numbers; two canoes also came in from round the north side of the island.  In one of them was an elderly chief called Maccaackavow.  Soon after some of our foraging party returned, and with them came a good-looking chief called Egijeefow, or perhaps more properly Eefow, Egij or Eghee, signifying a chief.  To each of these men I made a present of an old shirt and a knife, and I soon found they either had seen me or had heard of my being at Annamooka.  They knew I had been with captain Cook, who they inquired after, and also captain Clerk.  They were very inquisitive to know in what manner I had lost my ship.  During this conversation a young man named Nageete appeared, whom I remembered to have seen at Annamooka:  he expressed much pleasure at our meeting.  I enquired after Poulaho and Feenow, who they said were at Tongataboo; and Eefow agreed to accompany me thither if I would wait till the weather moderated.  The readiness and affability of this man gave me much satisfaction.

This however was but of short duration for the natives began to increase in number and I observed some symptoms of a design against us.  Soon after they attempted to haul the boat on shore, on which I brandished my cutlass in a threatening manner and spoke to Eefow to desire them to desist, which they did and everything became quiet again.  My people who had been in the mountains now returned with about three gallons of water.  I kept buying up the little breadfruit that was brought to us, and likewise some spears to arm my men with, having only four cutlasses, two of which were in the boat.  As we had no means of improving our situation I told our people I would wait till sunset, by which time perhaps something might happen in our favour:  for if we attempted to go at present we must fight our way through, which we could do more advantageously at night; and that in the meantime we would endeavour to get off to the boat what we had bought.  The beach was lined with the natives and we heard nothing but the knocking of stones together, which they had in each hand.  I knew very well this was the sign of an attack.  At noon I served a coconut and a breadfruit to each person for dinner, and gave some to the chiefs, with whom I continued to appear intimate and friendly.  They frequently importuned me to sit down but I as constantly refused:  for it occurred both to Nelson and myself that the intended to seize hold of me if I gave them such an opportunity.  Keeping therefore constantly on our guard we were suffered to eat our uncomfortable meal in some quietness.