During the night, between the 7th and 8th, some time in the middle watch, all our friendly connections received an interruption, through the negligence of one of the centinels on shore.  He having either slept or quitted his post, gave one of the natives an opportunity to carry off his musket.  The first news I heard of it was from Tee, whom Otoo had sent on board for that purpose, and to desire that I would go to him, for that he was mataoued.  We were not well enough acquainted with their language to understand all Tee’s story; but we understood enough to know that something had happened which had alarmed the king.  In order, therefore, to be fully informed, I went ashore with Tee and Tarevatoo, who had slept aboard all night.  As soon as we landed, I was informed of the whole by the serjeant who commanded the party.  I found the natives all alarmed, and the most of them fled.  Tarevatoo slipped from me in a moment, and hardly any remained by me but Tee.  With him I went to look for Otoo; and, as we advanced, I endeavoured to allay the fears of the people, but, at the same time, insisted on the musket being restored.  After travelling some distance into the country, enquiring of every one we saw for Otoo, Tee stopped all at once and advised me to return, saying, that Otoo was gone to the mountains, and he would proceed and tell him that I was still his friend; a question which had been asked me fifty times by different people, and if I was angry, &c.  Tee also promised that he would use his endeavours to recover the musket.  I was now satisfied it was to no purpose to go farther; for, although I was alone and unarmed, Otoo’s fears were such, that he durst not see me; and, therefore, I took Tee’s advice, and returned aboard.  After this I sent Oedidee to Otoo to let him know that his fears were ill-grounded; for that I only required the return of the musket, which I knew was in his power.

Soon after Oedidee was gone, we observed six large canoes coming round Point Venus.  Some people whom I had sent out, to watch the conduct of the neighbouring inhabitants, informed me they were laden with baggage, fruit, hogs, &c.  There being room for suspecting that some person belonging to these canoes had committed the theft, I presently came to a resolution to intercept them; and having put off in a boat for that purpose, gave orders for another to follow.  One of the canoes, which was some distance ahead of the rest, came directly for the ship.  I went alongside this, and found two or three women in her whom I knew.  They told me they were going on board the ship with something for me; and, on my enquiring of them for Otoo, was told he was then at the tents.  Pleased with this news, I contradicted the orders I had given for intercepting the other canoes, thinking they might be coming on board also, as well as this one, which I left within a few yards of the ship, and rowed ashore to speak with Otoo.  But when I landed, I was told that he had not been there, nor knew they any