leave Otaheite
without them. They assured me that they would do everything in their
power to have them taken and it was agreed that Oreepyah and Moannah
should depart the next morning for Tethuroa. Oreepyah enquired if they
had pocket pistols "for," said he, "though we may surprise and seize them
before they can make use of their muskets, yet if they have pistols they
may do mischief, even while they are held." I quietened these
apprehensions by assuring them that the deserters had no pistols with
them.

Tuesday 6.

At daylight Oreepyah and Moannah set off in two canoes for Tethuroa, but
the weather became so boisterous that they were obliged to return in the
forenoon, and I was happy to see them get safe in as the sea ran very
high without the harbour. From the first of this month the weather and
winds had been much unsettled with a great deal of rain. Our former
station at Matavai appeared not at all safe, the sea at times breaking
high over the Dolphin bank and making a great swell in the bay. Oreepyah
and Moannah both promised me that they would sail again as soon as the
weather should be fine.

Friday 9.

The wind continued to blow strong at sea though in the harbour we had at
times but light breezes. Poeeno, from Matavai, came to see me today: he
said he was apprehensive that I was displeased with him on account of our
deserters having been carried to Tethuroa by a canoe from Matavai. This
he declared had been done before he heard of it; and that the only
service in his power he had not neglected to do for me, which was the
sending our boat back. As this was really an act of friendship I received
him with great cordiality; and he assured me that there could be no doubt
from the directions Tinah had given of the deserters being brought to the
ship as soon as the weather would admit canoes to go after them.

Saturday 10.

One of the officers this morning on shore inadvertently plucked a branch
from a tree called Tutuee, that bears the oil nut, which was growing at a
Morai. On entering with it into the house occupied by our people all the
natives, both men and women, immediately went away. When I went on shore
I found this branch tied to one of the posts of the house, although the
effect it had on the natives was known. I was much displeased at this
piece of wantonness and ordered the branch to be taken away; but the
natives notwithstanding would not come near the place. They said the
house was taboo, which