h, 202 degrees 6 minutes East.) but the
landing-places were too dangerous on account of the surf. A native came
on board who was able to converse with Omai, and said they had plenty of
plantains and taro, but neither yams, hogs, nor dogs. He unfortunately
fell over a goat, which he took to be a large bird, and was so frightened
he had to be put ashore. The next day another island was seen, and as
they were very short of fodder for the animals, Gore was sent to see if
trade could be opened up with the inhabitants. In this he was fairly
successful, and obtained a quantity of plantain stems, which were found
to be a satisfactory substitute for grass; but the trading was not brisk,
for the people wished to receive dogs in return, and it was evident that
though they had none, they knew what they were. They were afraid of the
horses and cattle, and took the sheep and goats for some kind of large
birds. A party went ashore and were treated fairly well, but when they
wished to return to their boats all sorts of difficulties were raised,
and Cook credits Omai with their safe return; for it seems he gave
judiciously boastful replies to the many questions that were asked him,
and at the psychological moment exploded a handful of powder, with the
result that opposition to their departure was withdrawn. Burney says Omai
was most useful on a landing party, as he was a good sportsman and cook,
and was never idle. After this experience Cook would not run further
risks, so made for a small uninhabited island where some vegetables were
obtained and branches of trees, which, cut into short lengths, were
eagerly eaten by the cattle, and Cook says: "It might be said, without
impropriety, that we fed our cattle on billet wood." Payment for what had
been taken was left in a deserted village.

On 6th April they reached Hervey's Island, and were somewhat surprised to
be visited by several canoes, as on Cook's previous visit no signs of
inhabitants had been noticed. Omai gathered from one or two natives who
came on board to sell a few fish, that the Resolution and Adventure had
been seen in 1776 when passing the island. King was sent to look for a
landing-place, but, seeing that the women were quietly bringing down arms
to their menfolk on the beach, he thought it better to return to the
ship, and sail was made for the Friendly Islands, the Discovery being
sent on about a league ahead, as she was better able "to claw off a lee
shore than mine." A