Off the island of Huahine
Thursday 2nd September 1773
After leaving the Bay of Matavai as before mentioned I directed my course for the Island of Huaheineand at 6 o'Clock the following evening we were with two or three Leagues of its northern point where we spent the night laying too and making short boards, and on Friday morning at day light made sail round the point for the Harbour Owharre where we anchored at 9 o'Clock in 24 fathom water, as the wind blew out of the Harbour I choose to turn in by the Southern Channell, the Resolution turn'd in very well, but the Adventure missing stays got a shore on the reef on the north side of the Channell.
Friday 3rd September 1773
I had the Resolution Launch in the Water ready in case of an axcedent of this kind, and sent her immidiately to the Adventure by this timely assistance she was got off without receiving any damage. As soon as the Sloops were in safety I landed and was received by the natives with the utmost cordiality.
Monday 6th September 1773
In the morning I sent the tradeing party a shore as usual and after breakfast went my self when I found that one of the natives had been a little troublesome, this fellow being pointed out to me compleatly equipped in the War habit with a club in each hand, as he seem'd to be intent on Mischief I took from him the two clubs and broke them and with some difficulty forced him to retire from the place, they told me that he was an Aru which made me the more suspicious of him and occasioned me to send for a guard which before I had thought unnecessary. About this time Mr Sparman being out alone botanizing was set upon by two men who striped him of everything he had but his Trowsers, they struck him several times with his own hanger but happily did him no harm, as soon as they had accomplished their end they made off after which a man came to him, gave him a piece of cloth to cover himself and conducted him to me. I went immidiately to Oree to complain of this outrage takeing with me the man who came back with Mr Sparman to confirm the complaint, as soon as the Chief heard it he wept a lowd as did several others and after the first transports of his grief was over expostulated with the people shewing them how well I had treated them both in this and my former voyage or some thing to this purpose, he then promised to do all in his power to recover what was taken from Mr Sparman... We immidiately imbarqued in the Boat in order to go aboard without so much as asking the Chief to accompany us, he however insisted on going with us in spite of the opposition he met with from those about him, his Sister followed his example contrary to the tears and intreaties of her Daughter a young woman about 16 or 18 years of age. The Chief sit at table with us and made a hearty meal, his Sister sit behind us as it is not the custom for the Women to eat with the men. After dinner I made them both presents and in the Evening carried them a shore to the place w[h]ere I first took him in where some hundreds waited to receive him many of whom imbraced him with tears of joy in their eyes, all was now harmony and Peace...Oree and I were profess'd friends in all the forms customary among them and he had no idea that this could be broke by the act of any other person, indeed this seem'd to be the great Argument he made use on to his people when they opposed his going into my boat, his words were to this effect: Oree (for so I was always called) and I am friends, I have done nothing to forfeit his friendship, why should I not go with him. We however may never meet with another chief who will act in the same manner on any similar occasion.
Tuesday 7th September 1773
Early in the morn we began to unmoor, while this was doing I went to take my leave of the chief accompanied by Captain Furneaux and Mr Forster. I took with me such things for a present as I knew were most useful and valuable to him. I also left with him the Inscription plate that he had before in keeping and another small copper plate on which was engraved these words: Anchor'd here His Britannic Majesty's Ships Resolution and Adventure September 1773, together with some Midals all put up in a Small Bag, the chief promised to take great care of the whole and to produce them to the first Ship that should come to the Isle. He next gave me a Hog and after trading for six or eight more, and loading the boat with fruit we took leave at which the good old Chief embraced me with Tears in his eyes. At this interview nothing was said about the remainder of Mr Sparmans Clothes. I judged they were not brought in and for that reason did not mention them lest I should give the chief pain about a thing I did not give him time to recover. When I came aboard I found the Sloops crowded round with Canoes full of Hogs, Fowls and Fruit as at our first arrival...