ruit, and Cook says if he had been able to stay longer he
might have bought as much more as everything seemed abundant. The only
disagreeable thing that happened was to Mr. Sparrman, who, out by himself
botanising, was set upon and stripped of everything but his
trousers--Besant substitutes spectacles for trousers. He made his way
towards the boats, and was befriended by a native, who gave him some
cloth to put over his shoulders and escorted him to the others. When Oree
heard of the affair he placed himself in Cook's hands, and did his best
to find out the culprits, and after a time Sparrman's hanger and the
greater part of his things were recovered. It seems probable that some
native law had been unwittingly broken and Sparrman's treatment was meant
as a punishment, for every one else had been particularly well treated.
Before leaving Cook added to Oree's treasures a copper plate on which was
inscribed, "Anchored here, His Britannic Majesty's Ships Resolution and
Adventure, September 1773." Some medals were also given him, and he was
requested to show them to any visitors that came.

At Ulietea they were received at a heava or dramatic performance, one
portion of which illustrated robbery by two men, and Cook says it was
acted "in such a masterly manner as sufficiently displayed the genius of
the people in this vice." Fruit and vegetables being rather scarce, Mr.
Pickersgill was despatched with a boat from each ship to an island Cook
calls O'Taha, where they were said to be plentiful, and he was able to
purchase as much as they had means to pay for, at a very reasonable rate;
but during negotiations the bag containing the trade was stolen.
Pickersgill at once seized everything of value he could lay his hands on,
signifying at the same time that all should be returned when the bag and
its contents were produced. In the evening a chief, who had been friendly
all day, went off and soon after came back with the bag and about half
its contents. Eventually all was recovered, and the boats left with good
loads in a perfectly friendly manner. When the boats went from Ulietea
the crews of the two vessels were again entertained, but during the night
all the natives disappeared, to the surprise and annoyance of Cook, who
thought something serious had happened to offend them. It turned out
that, seeing the boats did not return, the natives thought it was a case
of desertion, and were afraid they might be held responsible.

BAGPIP