As we drew near the south end of Rotterdam, or Anamocka, we were met by a number of canoes, laden with fruit and roots; but as I did not shorten sail, we had but little traffic with them.  The people in one canoe enquired for me by name; a proof that these people have an intercourse with those of Amsterdam.  They importuned us much to go towards their coast, letting us know, as we understood them, that we might anchor there.  This was on the S.W. side of the island, where the coast seemed to be sheltered from the S. and S.E. winds; but as the day was far spent, I could not attempt to go in there, as it would have been necessary to have sent first a boat to examine it.  I therefore stood for the north side of the island, where we anchored about three-fourths of a mile from shore; the extremes of it bearing south, 88 deg.  E. to S.W.; a cove with a sandy beach at the bottom of it S. 50 deg.  E.

CHAPTER II.

Reception at Anamocka; a Robbery and its Consequences, with a Variety of other Incidents.  Departure from the Island.  A sailing Canoe described.  Some Observations on the Navigation of these Islanders.  A Description of the Island, and of those in the Neighbourhood, with some Account of the Inhabitants, and nautical Remarks.

1774 June

Before we had well got to an anchor, the natives came off from all parts in canoes, bringing with them yams and shaddocks, which they exchanged for small nails and old rags.  One man taking a vast liking to our lead and line, got hold of it, and, in spite of all the threats I could make use of, cut the line with a stone; but a discharge of small shot made him return it.  Early in the morning, I went ashore with Mr Gilbert to look for fresh water.  We landed in the cove above-mentioned, and were received with great courtesy by the natives.  After I had distributed some presents amongst them, I asked for water, and was conducted to a pond of it that was brackish, about three-fourths of a mile from the landing-place, which I supposed to be the same that Tasman watered at.  In the mean time, the people in the boat had laden her with fruit and roots, which the natives had brought down, and exchanged for nails and beads.  On our return to the ship, I found the same sort of traffic carrying on there.  After breakfast, I went ashore with two boats to trade with the people, accompanied by several of the gentlemen, and ordered the launch to follow with casks to be filled with water.  The natives assisted us to roll them to and from the pond; and a nail or a bead was the expence of their labour.  Fruits and roots, especially shaddocks and yams, were brought down in such plenty, that the two boats were laden, sent off, cleared, and laden a second time, before noon; by which time also the launch had got a full supply of water, and the botanical and shooting parties had all come in, except the surgeon, for whom we could not wait, as the tide was ebbing