State Library of NSW
[Page 25]
21. Octr. 1769 Taoneroa
on the beach they walkd with a quick pace towards the river where we landed yesterday most of these are without arms 3 or 4 have with long Pikes in their hands the captn orderd three boats to be mannd with seamen & marines intending to land & try to establish a communication with them a high surf ran on the shore the Indians about 50. remaind on the farther side of the river we lookd upon that as a sign of fear so landing with the little boat only the Captn Dr Solander, Tupia & myself went to the river side to speak to them, as soon almost as we appeard they rose up & every man producd either a long pike or a small weapon of well polishd Jasper stone about a foot long & thick enough to weigh 4 or 5 pounds, with these they threatned us & signd to us to depart a musquet was then fird wide of them the ball of which struck the water they saw the effect & immediately ceasd their threats we though now that it was prudent to retreat till the marines were landed & drawn up to intimidate them & support us in case of nesscessity They landed & marchd with a Jack carried before them to a little bank about 50 yards from the river which might be about 40 broad here they were drawn up in order & we again advancd to the river side with Tupia who now found that the language of the people was
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