* 774-
October order, and filth and flench announced them even at a dif-
tance. We did not remember to.have feen above three or
four of thém at our former flay in this found ; but having
learnt their names, enquired concerning many of their countrymen
who were better known to us. They gave us an
anfwer which was infinitely too complex to be intelligible
to us ; but we could colled! that they fpoke of a
battle, and mentioned the death of feveral of the natives.
They continued from time to time to alk if we were dif-
pleafed with them, and feemed to be very apprehenfive that
our prefent proteftations of friendfhip were not quite fincere.
We fufpedted from this circumftance, that a fatal mifun-
derftanding had happened between thé natives and the crew
of Lome European fhip, and we naturally thought of our
confort the Adventure. However, far from confirming the
natives in their fears, we endeavoured by every method to
gain their confidence, in which we fucceeded very well, by
waving the fubjedt of our difcourfe, and alking if they had
any- fifli to fell.' They ran to their canoes immediately,
and clearing away the mats with which they were covered,
produced a vaft quantity of fifli, probably caught the fame
morning. For a few pieces of Taheitian cloth, a nail,
fome medals, and a bit of red baize, we bought a- fufficient
quantity to fupply our whole (hip’s company, and fo far
gained the confidence of the natives, that they promifed to
come to the (hip the next day. One of them, of a middle
■ age,
age, who feemed to be the principal man in this fmall vil- octo’be».
lage, told us his name was Peeterre, and (hewed himfelf
the friendlieft of them all. We parted from them, after
admiring their bold fpirit, which difdained concealment, at
the moment when they were filled with apprehenfions that
we fliould take advantage of our fuperiority of numbers.
We were indeed ignorant at that time how much reafon
they had to dread our refentment, a circumftance which
gives dill greater luftre to their bravery.
They were indeed as good as their word, and came to us TueH^,r.
at fun-rife the next morning, in five canoes, felling a great
quantity of fine fith, and thus reftoring affluence on our tables.
Having parted with their fifli, they produced a number
o f pieces of green nephritic done, wrought into chiflels
and various ornaments, which they eagerly exchanged for
Taheitian and Englifh cloth, as well- as iron ware. Not
content with , what they could colledt on board, fome of
them went to the beach, where a number of our people
were employed in watering, wooding, &c. and where Mr.
Wales had once more fixed his obfervatory. Here they
made many acquifitions, and then all went to pafs the night
on a neighbouring beach. They rofe at day-break, and-
caught abundance of fifli, with which they returned to us,
continuing to fupply us every day in the fame manner.
Their favourite place of refort was, however,, our watering-
place';. for there they met with feveral marines, who took
a. pleas