of some of the principal chiefs in order to keep them prisoners till the boat was returned, and that he had already sent out boats to prevent any one leaving the bay, with the intention of destroying their canoes if he could not recover the cutter by more peaceable means.  The Resolution’s great cutter was sent after a large sailing canoe that was making off, the small cutter was guarding the western point of the bay, and Cook, with the pinnace and launch, were going to Kowrowa to try and get Terreeoboo on board the ship.  He, and in fact every one else, were confident the natives would offer no resistance if they heard the sound of but one musket.

A little before eight o’clock Captain Cook, Lieutenant Phillips, a sergeant, corporal, and seven marines left the ship for Kowrowa, and King returned to his camp after being ordered to try and assure the natives near the observatory that they would not be hurt, to keep his men together, and to be prepared to meet any outbreak.  Having seen his men were on the alert, King visited the priests and satisfied them that Terreeoboo would receive neither injury nor insult.

Cook Lands.

Having picked up the Resolution’s launch, under the command of Lieutenant Williamson, on his way, Cook landed the marines, and marched into the village, where he received the usual marks of respect.  He asked to see the king and his two young sons.  The two boys came forward and conducted him to the hut where their father was, and after a short conversation he felt assured that Terreeoboo knew nothing about the stealing of the boat.  He invited the three to accompany him to the Resolution, and the king at once consented and got up to go.  However, the boys’ mother came up with a few chiefs and tried to persuade him not to go, and then they caught hold of him and forced him to sit down.  Meanwhile a large crowd had gathered round, and Phillips, who seems to have acted with coolness and judgment throughout the affair, drew up his men in line on some rocks near the water, about thirty yards away.  After trying for some time to persuade the natives to allow their chief to go with him, Cook gave up the attempt, observing to Phillips that it would be impossible to compel them to do so without great risk of bloodshed.  Unfortunately, just at this time news arrived that a chief of the first rank had been killed at the other side of the bay.  The shots had been heard soon after the landing of Cook’s party.

It was now recognised that matters had become very serious; the natives were seen to be donning their war mats, and one man, armed with a stone in one hand and a large iron spike in the other, threatened Cook in a very insulting manner.  He was told to keep quiet, but only became more furious, so Cook fired a charge of small shot into him, but his mats saved him from injury.  Stones were thrown at the marines, and a chief attempted to stab Phillips, but was promptly knocked down with the butt of the latter’s musket.