On the 20th, at noon, this S.E. point bore S., three leagues distant; the snowy hills W.N.W., and we were about four miles from the nearest shore.  In the afternoon, some of the natives came off in their canoes, bringing with them a few pigs and plantains.  The latter were very acceptable, having had no vegetables for some days; but the supply we now received was so inconsiderable, being barely sufficient for one day, that I stood in again the next morning, till within three or four miles of the land, where we were met by a number of canoes, laden with provisions.  We brought-to, and continued trading with the people in them, till four in the afternoon, when, having got a pretty good supply, we made sail, and stretched off to the northward.

I had never met with a behaviour so free from reserve and suspicion, in my intercourse with any tribes of savages, as we experienced in the people of this island.  It was very common for them to send up into the ship the several articles they brought off for barter; afterward, they would come in themselves, and make their bargains on the quarter-deck.  The people of Otaheite, even after our repeated visits, do not care to put so much confidence in us.  I infer from this, that those of Owhyhee must be more faithful in their dealings with one another, than the inhabitants of Otaheite are.  For, if little faith were observed amongst themselves, they would not be so ready to trust strangers.  It is also to be observed, to their honour, that they had never once attempted to cheat us in exchanges, nor to commit a theft.  They understand trading as well as most people; and seemed to comprehend clearly the reason of our plying upon the coast.  For, though they brought off provisions in great plenty, particularly pigs, yet they kept up their price; and, rather than dispose of them for less than they thought they were worth, would take them on shore again.[5]

[Footnote 5:  The reader is desired to pay particular attention to the high testimony borne by Cook to the characters of these islanders.  It is a circumstance too singularly interesting not to give rise to some painful reflections, that, on apparently good grounds, he should have entertained the best opinion of those very people, from whom he was destined shortly afterwards to receive the greatest of injuries.  However that event is to be explained, it seems very fair that his evidence in their favour obtain full regard, and that they, therefore, be entitled to any benefits it may be supposed to confer.—­E.]

On the 22d, at eight in the morning, we tacked to the southward, with a fresh breeze at E. by N. At noon, the latitude was 20 deg. 28’ 30”; and the snowy peak bore S.W. 1/2 S. We had a good view of it the preceding day, and the quantity of snow seemed to have increased, and to extend lower down the hill.  I stood to the S.E. till midnight, then tacked to the N. till four in the morning, when we returned to the S.E. tack; and, as the wind was