This narrative was, in the most obliging manner, communicated to me in manuscript, by Mr.Samwell, with entire liberty to make such use of it as I should judge proper.
Upon a perusal of it, its importance struck me in so strong a light, that I wished to have it separately laid before the world.
Accordingly, with Mr.Samwell's concurrence, I procured its publication, that, if any objections should be made to it, I might be able to notice them in my own work.

As the narrative hath continued for more than two years unimpeached and uncontradicted, I esteem myself fully authorized to insert it in this place, as containing the most complete and authentic account of the melancholy catastrophe, which, at Owhyhee, befell our illustrious navigator and commander.
'On the 6th, we were overtaken by a gale of wind; and the next night, the Resolution had the misfortune of springing the head of her foremast, in such a dangerous manner, that Captain Cook was obliged to return to Keragegooah,[14] in order to have it repaired; for we could find no other convenient harbour on the island.

The same gale had occasioned much distress among some canoes, that had paid us a visit from the shore.

One of them, with two men and a child on board, was picked up by the Resolution, and rescued from destruction; the men, having toiled hard all night, in attempting to reach the land, were so much exhausted, that they could hardly mount the ship's side.

When they got upon the quarter-deck, they burst into tears, and seemed much affected with the dangerous situation from which they had escaped; but the little child appeared lively and cheerful.