Joseph Banks - Endeavour Journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0318
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[Page 318]
Otahite
after made his apearance I pressd him to recover my Jacket but neither he nor Oborea would take the least step towards it so that I am almost inclind to beleive that they acted principals in the theft indeed if they did it may be said in their excuse that they knew I had in my pockets a pair of pistols weopons to them more dreadfull than a cannon to a man marching up to its mouth could they get possession of them they thought no doubt that they would be as usefull to them as to us self defence & preservation therefore in this case came in opposition to the laws of hospitality duties to which mankind usualy give the preference in all cases
About 8 Dr Solander returnd from a house about a mile off where he had slept. he had met with more honest companions than we had for nothing of his was missing we spent the most of the morning in trying to persuade our freinds either to restore our cloaths or give us some hogs acording to promise but neiether could we do so we were forcd to set out for the boat with only the pig got yesterday dissatisfied enough with our expedition
In our return to the boat we saw the indians amuse or excersise themselves in a manner truly surprizing. it was in a place where the shore was not guarded by a reef as is usualy the case consequently a high surf fell upon the shore a more deadfull one I have not often seen no European boat could have landed in it & I think no Europaean who had by any means got into could possibly have saved his life