their fleet at
exercise, and they were just in time to see the conclusion and the
landing of the men. Cook says the canoes were handled very smartly, and
"five minutes after putting ashore you could not tell anything of the
kind had been going forward."

The sea stores were again overhauled, and although the greatest care had
been taken with the packing, large quantities of the bread were found to
be uneatable, rendering the purchase of fresh food at every opportunity
of the greatest importance.

A state visit was paid on board by Otoo's father and some other members
of the royal family, who presented Cook with:

"a complete mourning dress, a curiosity we most valued. In return I gave
him whatever he desired, which was not a little, and having distributed
red feathers to all the others, conducted them ashore in my boat."

MUSKET STOLEN.

On 7th May the king expressed a wish to see Cook, so the latter went
ashore, but found his Majesty and many of his leading men had
disappeared, and the sergeant of marines reported that one of his men had
had his musket stolen whilst on duty. Cook gave orders that if the musket
was returned nothing further was to be said, and returned to his ship.
Suspicion was attracted to six canoes laden with fruit and baggage, so
Cook gave chase in his own boat. One of the canoes then made for the
ship, and the occupants, women whom he recognised, informed him they were
taking some things to the Resolution, and that the king was at Point
Venus. Cook went to the camp, to find this was only a story to put him
off, and he once again gave chase, ordering another boat to follow. A few
shots were fired over the canoes, and five out of the six surrendered,
the one he had spoken with getting away. He was now told that the gun had
been stolen by a native of Tiarabou, and therefore Otoo was unable to get
it back, so after a little discussion he decided to put up with the loss,
and sent word to the king that he would say no more about it. In the
evening, however, the musket and some articles that had not been missed
were returned, and the men who brought them were duly rewarded. Cook says
it was remarkable how many had been actively engaged in their recovery.
One man in particular described most vividly how he had followed up,
attacked and killed the thief of the musket, but at the same time every
one was well aware that this hero had never been away from his own house
throughout the day. A state call was