Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0355
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[Page 355]
Otahite
July 1769
6. We begin now to prepare in earnest for our departure the sails were today carried on board & bent the guns also were taken on board our freinds begin now to beleive that we are realy preparing for our departure a circumstance which they have of late much doubted This evening we had a second visit from Teareederry & Toimata the people again paying them the same respect as on the 21st of June poor Toimata was again baulkd in her desire of seeing the fort Oamo insisting that she should not come in - soon after these had left us some of our freinds came to inform us that Monaamia the man who stole the Quadrant was landed & meant this night to make an atempt upon us all were ready to assist us & several, Tuanne Matte especialy very desirous of sleeping in the Fort which probably was the reason why this arch theif did not this night exercise his abilities
7. The carpenters were this morn employd in taking down the gates & palisades of our little fortification to make us firewood for the ship when one of the Indians without made shift to steal the staple & hook of the great gate we were immediately appised of the theft to the great affright of our visiters of whoom the bell tent was full their fears were however presently quieted & I (as usual) set out on my ordinary occupation of theif catching the Indians most readily joind me & away we set full cry much like a pack of fox hounds we ran & walkd & walkd & ran for I beleive 6 miles with as little delay as possible when