nd escaped. The
other canoe was intercepted, and Tupia called to them to come alongside
and they would receive no harm; but they took down the sail, took to
their paddles, and made off so quickly that the boats could not overtake
them. Cook then ordered a musket-ball to be fired over them. On
hearing the shots they stopped paddling and began to strip, intending,
no doubt, to leap into the sea. But they quickly changed their minds
and resolved not to fly but to fight. When the boats came up they began
the attack with their paddles and with stones so vigorously, that the
voyagers were obliged to fire at them in self-defence. Unhappily four
were killed, and the three who remained leaped into the sea.

These were soon captured, and were found to be mere boys--the eldest
about nineteen, and the youngest about eleven. Cook deeply regretted
this unfortunate affair, and blamed himself for it, but remarked, in
justification of himself, that, "when the command has once been given to
fire, no man can restrain its excess or prescribe its effect."

As soon as the poor wretches were taken out of the water into the boat
they squatted down, expecting, no doubt, to be instantly put to death.
But when they found that instead of being killed they were treated with
kindness, they became exceedingly joyful. On reaching the ship they
were offered some bread, which they devoured with a voracious appetite.
They asked and answered a great many questions, and when the people sat
down to dinner expressed a desire to touch and taste everything they
saw. The food that pleased them most was salt pork. At night they made
a hearty supper, and after they had each drunk above a quart of water,
they lay down to sleep on a locker well pleased with their treatment.

During the night, however, their true condition as prisoners seemed to
be impressed on them. Possibly they thought of their slain friends, for
they began to moan dismally, and it was all Tupia could do to comfort
them. Next morning they devoured an enormous breakfast, after which
they were dressed, and adorned with bracelet, anklets, necklaces,
etcetera, and sent on shore in the hope that they might carry a good
report of the strangers to their friends. Nothing came of this,
however, at the time. The natives still remained unfriendly, and Cook
finally weighed anchor and set sail in search of a part of the coast
where the people, it was hoped, would be more hospitable.

Soon aft