' 793- though, at firft, this fort of conduCl might occafion forne dilfatisfaftion, f ebruaiy. ^ °
u.— »— '—> yet I entertained no doubt that it would loon wear away.
After this difcuffion on the fubjeCl of pigs and poultry was brought to
a conclufion, the king had a fhort, though ferious, converfation with
T ia n n a ; the fubjeCl matter we did not rightly comprehend, but we un-
derllood it to refpeCt his coming from the north-well part of the illand
without the king’s knowledge or permiflion. On this being fettled, feme
jokes pafled between them, when the latter gradually refumed his ufual
cheerfulnefs, and harmony feemed tp be again re-eltablilhed on all ftdes.
Tmnaahrmah underltanding that I intended to ereCl the tents and ob-
fervatory on fhore, gave me the fbongeft affurance that no injury nor
offence fhould take place, provided we would fubfCribe to fuch regulations
as he lhould .point out, tending to the prefervation of that harmony
which fo happily exifked at the prefent moment.
In con&quence of the convenience with which we could lie near to that
part of the fhore where the tents and obfervatories of the Refolution and
Difcovery were ereCled in the year 1779, on their unfortunate vifit to
this illand, I preferred that Ration to any other part of the bay, for the
fervices we had now to perform. Here, thofe whofe bufinefs required
their refidence on fhore, would be fully protected by the Ihip againft
any furprize or attack from the natives of the country. But this
lituation we could not immediately occupy, as it was part of the con-
fecrated ground of the morai, which it was unlawful for us to enter
during the continuance of the periodical taboo that was to commence this
evening,at funfet, and to end at fun rife of the 24th ; during which interval
there could be no communication between the fhore and the Ihip:
but as foon as the interdiction fhould ceafe, the king promifed to return
on board, after ilfuing his orders and injunctions that our party lhould be
properly received, and fufficiently guarded.
Saturday 23. The whole of the next day we remained in the moll perfeCl lilence ;
not a canoe was feen afloat, excepting a few that went out of the Bay
to take fifh. This degree of quiet was a very agreeable change, and a
great relief to us, having the preceding day been almolt ftunned by the
clamour and intolerable noife of near three thoufand people of both
I fexes,
fexes, in their canoes, or fwimming about the velfels. Much to their F^793^
credit, however, it was in this circumltance only that their company was i_ — . /.
unpleafant; for they cendufiled themfelves with great honefly, and in
every other refpeCl behaved with the greatefl civility and good humour.
On our palfage from the coafl of America, we had reafon to believe
that the main mall' was materially defeClive ; a fifh was here put on, that
reached from the main deck to the upper part of the cheek, and fuch
other repairs were undertaken as the rigging, fails, &c. required.
Agreeably to his promife Tamaahmaah, attended by Young, repaired
on board immediately after fun rife on the 24th. He informed me, that Sunday 24.
all the neceffary direHions refpeCting our tents, &c. were left with per-
fons properly authorized to take charge of them, and that they might
be lent on fhore whenever I pleafed. This was inllantly done under
the care of Mr. Whidbey ; and foon after breakfalt, accompanied by
the king, Mr. Puget, and fome of the officers, I went on fhore with a
guard of fix marines to be left for the protection of our party there. I
was made very happy by finding that the prefence of fuch a guard had
not been in the leall neceffary ; as the perfon appointed by Tamaahmaah,
under the immediate direClions of Young who had accompanied Mr.
Whidbey, had conducted himfelf with the greatefl propriety, and had
aCled in every refpeCt fo very conformably to Mr. Whidbey’s inllruc-
tions, that a guard on fhore feemed almofl an unnecelfary precaution.
In point of dignity, however, if not of fecurity, I confidered
fuch formalities as indifpenfable; but being well aware of the avidity
with which mulkets and ammunition were here fought after, I did
not lead them into any temptation by fending on fhore any fpare
fmall arms, or the field pieces, left fuch a valuable booty might ftimu-
late them to a breach of that integrity, which at prefent feemed to regulate
all their aClions. Yet, as I did not think it prudent to place unlimited
confidence in the fincerity of their profeffions, the field pieces
were mounted on the quarter deck in readinefs for aClion, either in that
lituation, or to be tranfported to the fhore at a moment’s notice. The
guns were all fhotted, plenty of ammunition was at hand, and a fmall anchor
and hawfer laid out for a fpring on the cable. Four centinels were
S 2 always