elling them to push off and drop down
stream. The boys obeyed instantly. Being closely pursued by the
savages, one of them fired a musket over their heads.

At this they stopped in surprise and looked round them, but in a few
minutes renewed the pursuit, brandishing their lances in a threatening
manner, as if about to cast them into the boat, which they could easily
have done. The boys then fired a second shot over their heads, but of
this they took no notice, and one of them lifted his spear with the
intention of darting it; another musket was therefore fired, which shot
the savage dead. When he fell the other three stood motionless for some
time, as if petrified with astonishment. As soon as they recovered they
went back to the woods, dragging the dead body, but they soon dropped it
and fled when they saw Cook and his companions running to the rescue.

The dead body was examined, and found to be that of a man of middle
size, with brown complexion and a tattooed face. He was covered with a
kind of native cloth, and wore his hair tied up in a knot on the top of
his head. Cook immediately returned to the ship, from the deck of which
he could hear the voices of the natives on shore talking with great
earnestness and in a very loud tone.

Being anxious to enter into friendly intercourse with these people, Cook
renewed the attempt next morning. He ordered three boats to be manned
with seamen and marines, and proceeded towards the shore, accompanied by
Mr Banks and Dr Solander, also by Tupia, the Tahitan, to act as
interpreter. About fifty natives came to the beach and sat down to
await their landing. In order to prevent them taking fright, Cook
landed first and advanced, accompanied only by the two gentlemen above
named and Tupia. But they had not proceeded many paces before the
savages started up, and every man produced either a long pike or a small
weapon of green talc extremely well polished, about a foot long, and
thick enough to weigh four or five pounds. Tupia endeavoured to appease
them, but this could not be managed until a musket was fired wide of
them. The ball struck the water, and on observing its effect they
ceased their menaces.

Meanwhile the marines were landed and marched to a commanding position,
where they were drawn up, while Captain Cook again advanced. When they
came near enough, Tupia explained that they wanted provisions and water,
for which they would give iron in exchange. He then