ed incident, two shots were heard. Owhaw, on this,
seemed to think, as the visitors did, that something was wrong, and
signing to them to keep together, sent most of the natives away. Three
chiefs, however, remained, who instantly broke off green boughs from the
nearest trees, and extended them towards the English, to show that they
wished to be on terms of friendship, whatever had happened. The
Englishmen, of course, full of anxiety, hurried back to the tent. On
their arrival they found that the natives had fled, and that one of them
had been killed. It appeared that a native had suddenly seized the
sentry's musket and made off with it, when the midshipman, most
improperly, ordered the marines to fire. This they did, into the very
middle of the flying crowd; but finding that the thief did not fall,
they pursued and shot him dead. It is easy to fancy Captain Cook's
grief and annoyance at this incident. In spite of his humane desire to
treat the natives justly and kindly, and to cultivate their goodwill,
and notwithstanding all his precautions against violence, blood had been
shed. Though the native had acted wrongly, death was too severe a
punishment for his fault. The chiefs who had remained with Cook behaved
very well. Calling the people around, they enabled him to explain to
them that though the English would allow no liberties to be taken, yet
their desire was to treat them with kindness.

Notwithstanding these assurances, the next morning very few natives came
near the ship, and she was consequently warped closer in, more
effectually to protect the intended fort. Before long, however, the
natives got over their alarm, and the two chiefs Tubourai Tamaide and
Tootahah returned, bringing in their canoes not branches only, but two
young trees, and would not venture on board till these had been received
as emblems of peace. They each also brought, as propitiatory gifts, a
hog and bread-fruit ready dressed--both very acceptable articles at that
time. In return, a hatchet and a nail were given to each of them.

At this time the expedition had the misfortune to lose Mr Buchan, the
landscape-painter brought out by Mr Banks.

Rapid progress was made with the forts, and on April 18, Mr Banks's
tent being set up, he slept on shore for the first time. The natives
had by this time completely recovered from their alarm, and an abundance
of provisions was offered for sale. Their friend Tubourai Tamaide even
broug