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mufquet, with fmall fhot, was fired at him, when he fell down In the canoe. Ageneral terror was now fpread amongft them, and they all made a very precipitateretreat. Among the filh obtained from thefe canoes, were cavelles in great plenty,and for this reafon the captain called thefe iflands by the fame name.
For feveral days the wind was fo very unfavourable, that the velfel rather loft thangained ground. On the 29th, having weathered Cape Bret, they bore away to leeward,and got into a large bay, where they anchored on the fouth-weft fide of feveral iflands ;after which the ftiip was furrounded by thirty-three large canoes, containing near threehundred Indians, all armed. Some of them were admitted on board and CaptainCook gave a piece of broad cloth to one of the chiefs, and fome fmall prefents to theothers. They traded peaceably for fome time, being terrified at the fire-arms, theeffedt of which they were not unacquainted with ; but whilft the captain was at dinner,on a fignal given by one of their chiefs, all the Indians quitted the {hip, and theyattempted to tow away the buoy; a mufquet was now fired over them, but it pro-duced no effedf; fmall {hot was then fired at them, but it did not reach them. Amufquet loaded with ball, was therefore ordered to be fired, and Otegoowgoow (fonof one of the chiefs) was wounded in the thigh by it, which induced them immediatelyto throw the buoy overboard. To complete their confufion a round fhot was fired,which reached the fhore, and as foon as they landed they ran in fearch of it. If thefeIndians had been under any kind of military difcipline, they might have proved a muchmore formidable enemy; but acting thus, without any plan or regulation, they onlyexpofed themfelves to the annoyance of fire-arms, whilft they could not pofliblyfucceed in any of their defigns.
The captain, Mr. Banks , and Dr. Solander landed upon the ifland. The gentlemenWere now in a fmall cove, and they were prefently furrounded by near four hundredarmed Indians; but the captain not fufpefting any hoftile defign on the part of thenatives, remained peaceably difpofed. The gentlemen marching towards them, drewa line, intimating that they were not to pafs it; they did not infringe upon this boundaryfor fome time, but at length they fung the fong of defiance, and began to dance,■vvhilft a party attempted to draw the Endeavour’s boats on fhore. Thefe fignals foran attack being immediately followed by the Indians breaking in upon the line, thegentlemen judged it time to defend themfelves, and accordingly the captain fired hismufquet, loaded with fmall fhot, which was feconded by Mr. Banks difcharging hispiece, and two of the men followed his example. This threw the Indians into greatconfufion, and they retreated; but were rallied again by one of their chiefs, whotouted and waved his patoo-patoo. The do£tor now pointed his mufquet at this hero,a nd hit him; this ftopt his career, and he took to flight with the other Indians. Theyretired to an eminence in a coliedive body, and feemed dubious whether they fhouldre turn to the charge. They were now at too great a diftance for ball to reach them;b ut thefe operations being obferved from the fhip, fhe brought her broad fide to bear,*md by firing over them foon difperfed them. The Indians had in this fkirmifh two oftheir people wounded, but none killed. Peace being thus reftored, the gentlemenbegan to gather celery and other herbs; but fufpeding fome of the natives were lurkinga bout with evil defigns, they repaired to a cave, which was at a fmall diftance; herethey found the chief, who had that day received a prefent from the captain; he camemrth with his wife and brother, and folicited their clemency. It appeared that one of thebounded Indians was a brother of this chief, who was under great anxiety left thet^ound fhould prove mortal; but his grief was in a great degree alleviated, when he' Vas made acquainted with the different effects of fmall fhot and ball: he was at thea me time affured, that upon any future hoftilities being committed, ball would be
4 ufed.