Source 3a

Simplified transcript

Captain Cook, seeing a man with a stone in his hand, wanted him to throw it away. The man refused and made motions of throwing it, then the Captain fired a blank cartridge at him by mistake … The Hawaiian, a little frightened, began to exhale and grew still more arrogant. The Captain fired again and missed him, but hit another who fell dead.

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Captain Cook, walking down from the King, heard the boats fire (the reason given later was that some of the Hawaiians had been seen coming behind the marines and going to strike at them with their iron daggers, upon which some in the launch fired without orders). He urgently called to them to stop and come in, intending to leave as soon as possible. His humanity at this time perhaps cost him his life.

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…an old Chief rushed out from the rest and, coming from behind, struck Cook such a blow with an iron dagger on the back of the neck that he fell with his face in the water. … It is worth remarking that the Chief had been beat and kicked out of the ship just the day before for theft by Captain Cook himself. It is probable Cook was attacked due to furious resentment.

Transcript

C Cook being very eager to accomplish his purpose tried every means to persuade them to desist & they obstinately refusing, a dispute ensued in which some of them behaved in a very insolent & contemptuous manner. C Cook seeing a man near him with a stone in his hand desired him to throw it away. The fellow not only refused but made motions of throwing it, on which the Captain fired at him by mistake a blank cartridge …

The Indian a little frightened at first, thinking himself unhurt, began to exhale & grew still more insolent on which the Captain fired again, missed him, but hit another who immediately fell dead. …

At this period it was the Capt Cook, walking down from the King, heard the Launch first & then the pinnace fire (the reason afterwards given was that some of the Indians had been seen coming behind the marines & going to strike at them with their iron daggers upon which some in the Launch fired without orders) he immediately in a great passion called to them to desist & come in, intending to embark as fast as he was able. His humanity at this time perhaps cost him his life. …

…an old Chief rushed out from the rest & coming behind struck him such a blow with an iron dagger on the back of the neck that he fell with his face in the water. …

It is worthy remark that the Chief had been beat & kicked out of the ship but the day before for theft by C Cook himself. It is more than probable he was instigated to the attack he made by furious resentment.