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[Page 33]

29.
Octr. 1769   Taoneroa

the boats  the Indians were in two parties, one marchd along the bank before spoke of, the other came round by the morass where we could not see them. on seing us draw together they ceasd to run as they had done & walkd but gently on, a circumstance most fortunate for us, for when we came to our boats the pinnace was a mile at least from her station, (sent their by the officer ashore to pick up a bird he had shot)  the small boat only remaind, which was carried over the river, & without the midshipman who was left to attend her: the consequence of this was that we were obligd to make 3 trips before we were all over with to the rest of the party. as soon as we were well drawn up on the other side the Indians came down, not in a body as we expected, but 2 & 3 at a time all armd & soon increasd to a considerable number; we now despaird of making peace with men who were not to be frightned with our small arms  as the ship lay so far from the shore that could not throw a shot there, we resolvd to reembark where as our stay would most likley be the cause of killing still more people. we were begining to

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