return with me, when he saw I would follow him no farther.  I only desired he would send somebody for the things; for I found that the thieves had got so much start of us, that we might follow them to the remotest parts of the isle, without so much as seeing them.  Besides, as I intended to sail the next morning, this occasioned a great loss to us, by putting a stop to all manner of trade; for the natives were so much alarmed, that none came near us, but those that were about the chief.  It therefore became the more necessary for me to return, to restore things to their former state.  When we got back to our boat, we there found Oree’s sister, and several more persons, who had travelled by land to the place.  We immediately stepped into the boat in order to return on board, without so much as asking the chief to accompany us.  He, however, insisted on going also, and followed us into the boat in spite of the opposition and entreaties of those about him; his sister followed his example, and the tears and prayers of her daughter, who was about sixteen or eighteen years of age, had no weight with her on this occasion.  The chief sat at table with us, and made a hearty dinner; his sister, according to custom, eat nothing.  After dinner, I sufficiently rewarded them for the confidence they had put in me; and, soon after, carried them both on shore, where some hundreds of people waited to receive them, many of whom embraced their chief with tears of joy.  All was now joy and peace:  The people crowded in, from every part, with hogs, fowls, and fruit, so that we presently filled two boats:  Oree himself presented me with a large hog and a quantity of fruit.  The hanger (the only thing of value Mr Sparrman had lost) with part of his coat, were brought us; and we were told, we should have the others the next day.  Some of the officers, who were out on a shooting party, had some things stolen from them, which were returned in like manner.

Thus ended the troublesome transactions of this day, which I have been the more particular in relating, because it shews what great confidence this brave old chief put in us; it also in some degree shews, that friendship is sacred with them.  Oree and I were professed friends in all the forms customary among them; and he seemed to think that this could not be broken by the act of any other persons.  Indeed this seemed to be the great argument he made use of to his people, when they opposed his going into my boat.  His words were to this effect:—­“Oree (meaning me, for so I was always called) and I are friends; I have done nothing to forfeit his friendship; why then should I not go with him?” We, however, may never find another chief who will act in the same manner, under similar circumstances.  It may be asked, What had he to fear? to which I answer, Nothing.  For it was not my intention to hurt a hair of his head, or to detain him a moment longer than he desired.  But how was he or the people to know this?  They were not ignorant, that if he was once in my power, the whole force of the island could not take him from me, and that, let my demands for his ransom have been ever so high, they must have complied with them.  Thus far their fears, both for his and their own safety, were founded in reason.