Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0101
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[Page 101]
97.
Novr. 1769. Motu aro
the ship but every Canoe put off in a moment & pulld towards us we were in a sandy bay cove behind the two heads of which the most of them landed one or 2 only in sight out of these they came running with every man his arms others appeard on the tops of the hills & numbers from behind each head of the Cove so that we were in a moment surrounded by the gentlemen in the ship say 5 or 600 men tho we I beleive never saw more than 200 of them we now every man expected to be attackd but did not chuse to begin hostilities so the Captn & myself marchd up to meet them they crouded a good deal but did not offer to meddle with us tho every man had his arms almost lifted up to strike we brought them towards the party & made a line signing to them that they were not to pass it they did not at first but by this time a party from the other side had come up & mixd with our people they now began to sing their war song but committed no hostility till 3 steppd to Each of our boats and attempted to draw them ashore it was now time to fire we whose Guns were loaded with small shot did so which drove them back one man attempted to Rally