Many inquiries were made by the natives after Captain Cook, Sir Joseph Banks, and others of their former friends.  ‘One of my first questions,’ says Bligh, ’was after our friend Omai; and it was a sensible mortification and disappointment to me to hear, that not only Omai, but both the New Zealand boys who had been left with him, were dead.  There appeared among the natives in general great good-will towards us, and they seemed to be much rejoiced at our arrival.  The whole day we experienced no instance of dishonesty; and we were so much crowded, that I could not undertake to remove to a more proper station, without danger of disobliging our visitors, by desiring them to leave the ship.’

Otoo, the chief of the district, on hearing of the arrival of the Bounty, sent a small pig and a young plantain tree, as a token of friendship.  The ship was now plentifully supplied with provisions; every man on board having as much as he could consume.

As soon as the ship was secured, Lieutenant Bligh went on shore with the chief, Poeeno, passing through a walk delightfully shaded with bread-fruit trees, to his own house, where his wife and her sister were busily employed staining a piece of cloth red.  They desired him to sit down on a mat, and with great kindness offered him refreshments.  Several strangers were now introduced, who came to offer their congratulations, and behaved with great decorum and attention.  On taking leave, he says, ’the ladies, for they deserve to be called such from their natural and unaffected manners, and elegance of deportment, got up, and taking some of their finest cloth and a mat, clothed me in the Otaheitan fashion, and then said, “We will go with you to your boat;” and each taking me by the hand, amidst a great crowd, led me to the water side, and then took their leave.’  In this day’s walk, Bligh had the satisfaction to see that the island had received some benefit from the former visits of Captain Cook.  Two shaddocks were brought to him, a fruit which they had not till Cook introduced it; and among the articles which they brought off to the ship, and offered for sale, were capsicums, pumpkins, and two young goats.  In the course of two or three days,’ says he, ’an intimacy between the natives and the ship’s company was become so general, that there was scarcely a man in the ship who had not already his tayo or friend.’

Nelson, the gardener, and his assistant, being sent out to look for young plants, it was no small degree of pleasure to find them report on their return, that, according to appearances, the object of the voyage would probably be accomplished with ease; the plants were plentiful, and no apparent objection on the part of the natives to collect as many as might be wanted.  Nelson had the gratification to meet with two fine shaddock trees which he had planted in 1777, and which were now full of fruit, but not ripe.