their bodies painted with
broad streaks, also white, which, passing obliquely over their breasts
and backs, looked not unlike the cross-belts worn by soldiers. The same
kind of streaks were also drawn round their legs and thighs, like broad
garters. They were armed with long spears, and each of these men held
in his hand a weapon curved like a scimitar, and which appeared to be
about two feet and a half long. The Endeavour anchored two miles within
the bay, in six-fathom water, abreast of a small village consisting of
six or eight huts. On the two points on either side of the entrance a
few huts, and men, women, and children, were seen, as were four small
canoes, with a man in each engaged in fishing, so intent on their
occupation that they took no notice of the ship. An old woman also,
followed by three children, came out of a thicket, laden with fire-wood,
each of the children having its burden. When she reached the huts three
more children came out to meet her. She looked often at the ship, but
manifested no surprise, and went on with her occupation and kindled a
fire. Presently the men landed, hauled up their canoes, and began to
dress the fish, apparently unconcerned at the stranger ship within half
a mile of them. None of the savages had on a particle of clothing. It
was a curious scene, like that of a drama in which the actors take no
notice of the spectators.

In this instance, however, the actors were not so indifferent as they at
first appeared; for when Captain Cook and several companions approached
the shore in one of the boats, although the greater number of the people
ran away, two men armed with lances came down on the rocks to dispute
the landing of the strangers. [Note 2.] It was not an inapt
representation on a small scale of the contest which, ere many years had
rolled by, was to begin on these shores between savagedom and
civilisation, when the latter would, with giant strides, sweep over and
subdue the land. The two brave savages kept flourishing their lances
and shouting in discordant tones, and Captain Cook, unwilling to injure
them, ordered his crew to lie on their oars while he tried to parley
with them. To show also his goodwill, he threw them nails, beads, and
other trifles, which they took up and seemed pleased to obtain. They
then waved their hands and seemed to invite their visitors on shore, but
as soon as the boat approached they hurried again to oppose a landing.
Captain C