dissimulation, yet, their thus throwing themselves
into our power, with the olive branch
in their hands, was irresistible ; and we received
them wuth all the pomp we were
capable of. We ordered a pig to be killed
for the feast, and requested them to remain
for that night. In order to do honour to our
noble guests, and credit to our friend and
ally King George, we produced all the
luxuries we had; and, in addition to the
pork, piles of pancakes and molasses were
devoured: after this we gave them tea, of
which they are very fond; and, over our
pipes, in the evening, we informed them of the
preparations the coalesced chiefs had made
for their reception, had their intentions been
hostile.
The next morning they embarked for the
camp at Cower Cower, where, I understood,
they had considerable difficulty in arranging
the “ treaty of pe a ceGeorge having been
so often alarmed, now that such great preparations
had been effected (as he well knew
the treacherous character of his foe), he was
unwilling to give up the hopes of conquest;
however, by the advice of the chiefs, it was
finally settled amicably. George and his
friends accordingly returned to Ko-ro-ra-di-ka,
leaving a strong party at the par to finish the
fortifications; and, though peace was made,
our party still kept themselves in a posture of
defence.
We had been expecting with great anxiety
the return of our brig ; and, soon after the
termination of this affair, we had the pleasure
of seeing her enter the bay, after her cruise
from Tongataboo and Tucopea. We found,
that, on leaving the Bay of Islands, she had
touched at the “ Thames,” or (as the natives
call it), E How Rackey, in order to land two
chiefs, whom Captain Dillon had taken thence
two years before ; and, in the confusion occasioned
by the disembarking, the visiting and
congratulations of friends (the vessel being
under weigh), one chief was left on board,
who had not been discovered till all the
canoes were out of sight, and there remained
no other alternative for him than to proceed
on the whole voyage.
This was of no importance as it respected
N 4