As it was, he sailed for Tahiti, and discovering Tubuai, one of the Austral Group, on his passage, arrived there on August 13th, 1777.
Six weeks were spent here, and the old friendships further cemented.
Bulls and cows and other animals were presented to the king.

Cook also attended at several ceremonies consequent on war being declared against Eimeo, which included the offering of the dead body of a man, previously killed for the purpose, to the war god.

He positively refused to aid in this war, which very shortly came to an end.
Eimeo was next visited, and here the theft of a goat, which Cook intended to land at Huaheine, induced him to take severe measures to get it back.
Several war canoes and houses were destroyed before it was returned.

At Huaheine, Omai was established, with many valuable European articles in his possession.

Here again Cook acted with considerable severity in the case of a thief cutting off his ears, and confining him on board.