who does not understand it.

Reluctant as the captain was to enter this bay, from his ignorance of
the coast, and the doubts he consequently felt as to the disposition of
the inhabitants, they at last determined to stand in for it, as they had
great need of water, and did not know when the wind might permit them to
get to the Bay of Islands.

They came to anchor, accordingly, off the termination of a reef of
rocks, immediately under some elevated land, which formed one of the
sides of the bay. As soon as they had dropped anchor, a great many
canoes came off to the ship from every part of the bay, each containing
about thirty women, by whom it was paddled. Very few men made their
appearance that day; but many of the women remained on board all night,
employing themselves chiefly in stealing whatever they could lay their
hands on. Their conduct greatly alarmed the captain, and a strict watch
was kept during the night.

The next morning one of the chiefs came on board, whose name they were
told was Aimy, in a large war-canoe, about sixty feet long, and carrying
above a hundred of the natives, all provided with quantities of mats and
fishing-lines, made of the strong white flax[F] of the country, with
which they professed to be anxious to trade with the crew.

After this chief had been for some time on board, it was agreed that he
should return to the land, with some others of his tribe, in the ship's
boat, to procure a supply of water. This arrangement the captain was
very anxious to make, as he was averse from allowing any of the crew to
go on shore, wishing to keep them all on board for the protection of the
ship.