the great lords about him, who were thus deprived of a feast.  He likewise would have given me a large shark they had prisoner in a creek (some of his fins being cut off, so that he could not make his escape), but the fine pork and fish we had got at this isle, had spoiled our palates for such food.  The king, and Tee, his prime minister, accompanied us on board to dinner; and after it was over, took a most affectionate farewell.  He hardly ever ceased soliciting me, this day, to return to Otaheite; and just before he went out of the ship, took a youth by the hand, and presented him to me, desiring I would keep him on board to go to Amsterdam to collect red feathers.  I told him I could not, since I knew he would never return; but that if any ship should happen to come from Britain to this isle, I would either bring or send him red feathers in abundance.  This in some measure satisfied him; but the youth was exceedingly desirous of going; and if I had not come to a resolution to carry no one from the isles (except Oedidee if he chose to go), and but just refused Mr Forster the liberty of taking a boy, I believe I should have consented.  Otoo remained alongside in his canoe till we were under sail, when we put off, and was saluted with three guns.

Our treatment here was such as had induced one of our gunner’s mates to form a plan to remain at this isle.  He knew he could not execute it with success while we lay in the bay, therefore took the opportunity, as soon as we were out, the boats in, and sails set, to slip overboard, being a good swimmer.  But he was discovered before he got clear of the ship; and we presently hoisted a boat out, and took him up.  A canoe was observed about half-way between us and the shore, seemingly coming after us.  She was intended to take him up; but as soon as the people in her saw our boat, they kept at a distance.  This was a pre-concerted plan between the man and them, which Otoo was acquainted with, and had encouraged.  When I considered this man’s situation in life, I did not think him so culpable, nor the resolution he had taken of staying here so extraordinary, as it may at first appear.  He was an Irishman by birth, and had sailed in the Dutch service.  I picked him up at Batavia on my return from my former voyage, and he had been with me ever since.  I never learnt that he had either friends or connections, to confine him to any particular part of the world.  All nations were alike to him.  Where then could such a man be more happy than at one of these isles? where, in one of the finest climates in the world, he could enjoy not only the necessaries, but the luxuries of life, in ease and plenty.  I know not if he might not have obtained my consent, if he had applied for it in a proper time.[3] As soon as we had got him on board, and the boat in, I steered for Huaheine, in order to pay a visit to our friends there.  But before we leave Otaheite, it will be necessary to give some account of the present state of that island; especially as it differs very much from what it was eight months before.