Tinah had desired that I would salute him at his departure with the great guns, which I could not comply with for fear of disturbing the plants; but as a parting token of our regard we manned ship with all hands and gave him three cheers.  At sunset the boat returned and we made sail, bidding farewell to Otaheite where for twenty-three weeks we had been treated with the utmost affection and regard, and which seemed to increase in proportion to our stay.  That we were not insensible to their kindness the events which followed more than sufficiently proves:  for to the friendly and endearing behaviour of these people may be ascribed the motives for that event which effected the ruin of an expedition that there was every reason to hope would have been completed in the most fortunate manner.

To enter into a description of the island or its inhabitants I look upon as superfluous.  From the accounts of former voyages and the facts which I have related the character of the people will appear in as true a light as by any description in my power to give.  The length of time that we remained at Otaheite, with the advantage of having been there before, gave me opportunities of making perhaps a more perfect vocabulary of the language than has yet appeared; but I have chosen to defer it for the present as there is a probability that I may hereafter be better qualified for such a task.

We left Otaheite with only two patients in the venereal list, which shows that the disease has not gained ground.  The natives say that it is of little consequence, and we saw several instances of people that had been infected who, after absenting themselves for 15 or 20 days, made their appearance again without any visible symptom remaining of the disease.  Their method of cure I am unacquainted with; but their customary diet and mode of living must contribute towards it.  We saw a great many people however with scrofulous habits and bad sores:  these they denied to be produced from any venereal cause; and our surgeon was of the same opinion.

The result of the mean of 50 sets of lunar observations taken by me on shore gives for the Longitude of Point Venus 210 degrees 33 minutes 57 seconds east.

Captain Cook in 1769 places it in 210 degrees 27 minutes 30 seconds east.

In 1777, his last voyage, 210 degrees 22 minutes 28 seconds east.

The tide in Toahroah harbour was very inconsiderable and not regular.  The greatest rise that I observed was 11 inches; but what was most singular the time of high-water did not appear to be governed by the moon, it being at the highest every day between noon and two o’clock.  The variable winds and weather at this time of the year has no doubt an influence on the tides:  on some days scarce any rise was perceptible.

CHAPTER 12.

At the Island Huaheine.  A Friend of Omai visits the Ship.  Leave the Society Islands.  A Water-spout.  The Island Whytootackee discovered.  Anchor in Annamooka Road.  Our Parties on Shore robbed by the Natives.  Sail from Annamooka.  The Chiefs detained on board.  Part friendly.