Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0029
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[Page 29]
25.
Octr. 1769. Taoneroa
Captn. now resolvd to take one of these which in all probability might be done without the least resistance as we had three boats full of men the & the canoes seemd to be fishermen, who probably were without arms the boats were drawn up in such a manner that they could not well escape us the padling canoe first saw us & made immediately for the nearest land the other saild on till she was in the midst of us before she saw us as soon as she did she struck her sail & began to paddle so briskly that she outran our boat on a musquet being fird over her she however immediately ceasd padling & the people in her 7 in all made all possible haste to strip as we thought to leap into the water but no sooner did our boat come up with her than they began with stones paddles &c. to make so brisk a resistance that we were obligd to fire into her by which 4 were killd the other three who were boys leapd overboard one of them swam with great agility & when taken made every effort in his power to prevent being taken into the boat the other two were more easily prevaild upon as soon as they were in they squatted down expecting no doubt instant death but on finding themselves