what we were in search of had indeed been kept there the first night, but had been carried the next morning to Watea, by Hamoa.  We then crossed the ridge without making any further enquiry, till we came within sight of Watea, where some people shewed us Hamoa’s house, and told us that the goat was there; so that I made no doubt of getting it immediately upon my arrival.  But when I reached the house, to my very great surprise, the few people we met with denied that they had ever seen it, or knew any thing about it; even Hamoa himself came, and made the same declaration.

On our first coming to the place, I observed several men running to and fro in the woods, with clubs and bundles of darts in their hands; and Omai, who followed them, had some, stones thrown at him; so that it seemed as if they had intended to oppose any step I should take by force; but on seeing my party was too strong, had dropped the design.  I was confirmed in this notion, by observing that all their houses were empty.  After getting a few of the people of the place together, I desired Omai to expostulate with them on the absurdity of the conduct they were pursuing; and to tell them, that, from the testimony of many on whom I could depend, I was well assured that the goat was in their possession; and, therefore, insisted upon its being delivered up, otherwise I would burn their houses and canoes.  But, notwithstanding all that I or Omai could say, they continued to deny their having any knowledge of it.  The consequence was, that I set fire to six or eight houses, which were presently consumed, with two or three war-canoes that lay contiguous to them.  This done, I marched off to join the boats, which were about seven or eight miles from us; and, in our way, we burnt six more war-canoes, without any one attempting to oppose us; on the contrary, many assisted, though probably more out of fear than good-will.  In one place, Omai, who had advanced a little before, came back with information, that a great many men were getting together to attack us.  We made ready to receive them; but, instead of enemies, we found petitioners, with plantain-trees in their hands, which they laid down at my feet, and begged that I would spare a canoe that lay close by, which I readily complied with.

At length, about four in the afternoon, we got to the boats that were waiting at Wharrarade, the district belonging to Tiarataboonoue; but this chief, as well as all the principal people of the place, had fled to the hills; though I touched not a single thing that was their property, as they were the friends of Otoo.  After resting ourselves here about an hour, we set out for the ships, where we arrived about eight o’clock in the evening.  At that time no account of the goat had been received; so that the operations of this day had not produced the desired effect.