These people were also desirous of iron; but they wanted pieces eight or ten inches long at least, and of the breadth of three or four fingers.  For they absolutely rejected small pieces.  Consequently, they got but little from us; iron having, by this time, become rather a scarce article.  The points of some of their spears or lances were of that metal; others were of copper, and a few of bone; of which the points of their darts, arrows, &c. were composed.  I could not prevail open the chief to trust himself below the upper deck; nor did he and his companions remain long on board.  But while we had their company, it was necessary to watch them narrowly, as they soon betrayed a thievish disposition.  At length, after being about three at four hours alongside the Resolution, they all left her, and went to the Discovery; none having been there before, except one man, who, at this time, came from her, and immediately returned thither in company with the rest.  When I observed this, I thought this man had met with something there, which he knew would please his countrymen better than what they met with at our ship.  But in this I was mistaken, as will soon appear.

As soon as they were gone, I sent a boat to sound the head of the bay.  For, as the wind was moderate, I had thoughts of laying the ship ashore, if a convenient place could be found where I might begin our operations to stop the leak.  It was not long before all the Americans left the Discovery, and instead of returning to us, made their way toward our boat employed as above.  The officer in her seeing, this, returned to the ship, and was followed by all the canoes.  The boat’s crew had no sooner come on board, leaving in her two of their number by way of a guard, than some of the Americans stepped into her.  Some presented their spears before the two men; others cast loose the rope which fastened her to the ship; and the rest attempted to tow her away.  But the instant they saw us preparing to oppose them, they let her go, stepped out of her into their canoes, and made signs to us to lay down our arms, having the appearance of being as perfectly unconcerned as if they had done nothing amiss.  This, though rather a more daring attempt, was hardly equal to what they had meditated on board the Discovery.  The man who came and carried all his countrymen from the Resolution to the other ship had first been on board of her, where, after looking down all the hatchways, and seeing nobody but the officer of the watch, and one or two more, he no doubt thought they might plunder her with ease, especially as she lay at some distance from us.  It was unquestionably with this view, that they all repaired to her.  Several of them, without any ceremony, went on board; drew their knives; made signs to the officer and people on deck to keep off; and began to look about them for plunder.  The first thing they met with was the rudder of one of the boats, which they threw over-board to those of their party