This produced only a temporary effect.

Too many of the Indians having come on board, our commander, who was going into a boat to find a convenient place for mooring the ship, said to the officers, "You must look well after these people or they will certainly carry off something or other." Scarcely had he gotten into the boat, when he was informed, that they had stolen an iron stanchion from the opposite gangway, and were carrying it off.

Upon this he ordered his men to fire over the canoe, till he could get round in the boat, but not to kill any one.

Such, however, was the noise made by the natives, that the order was not heard; and the unhappy thief was killed at the first shot.

All the Indians having retired with precipitation, in consequence of this unfortunate accident, Captain Cook followed them into the bay, prevailed upon some of them to come alongside his boat, and, by suitable presents, so far conciliated their minds, that their fears seemed to be in a great measure allayed.