Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0035
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[Page 35]
31.
Octr. 1769. Taoneroa
from thence we could see with our glasses 3 men cross the river in a kind of Catamaran & take away the body which was carried off upon a pole by 4 men
After dinner the Captn desird Tupia to ask the boys if they had now any objection to going ashore at the same place as taking away the body was probably a ratification of our peace they said they had not & went most nimbly into the boat in which two midshipmen were sent they went ashore willingly but soon returnd to the rocks wading into the water & begging hard to be taken in again the orders were positive to leave them so they were left. we observd from the ship a man in a catamaran go over the river & fetch them to a place where 40 or 50 were assembled they sat till near sunset without stirring they rose then & the 3 boys appeard who had till now been conceald by being surrounded with people they left the party came down upon the beach & 3 times wavd their hands towards the ship then nimbly ran & joind the party who walkd leisurely away towards the place where the boys live we therefore hope that no harm will happen to them especialy as they had still the cloaths which we gave them on
after sunset loud voices were heard as usual in the bottom of the bay
11. This morn We took our leave of Poverty bay