"The terms [of the peace]," said Cook, in his report, "were disadvantageous to Otaheite, and much blame was thrown upon Otoo, whose delay in sending reinforcements had obliged Towha to submit to a disgraceful accommodation. It was even currently reported that Towha, resenting his not being supported, had declared that as soon as I should leave the island he would join his forces to those of Tiaraboo and attack Otoo at Matavai or Oparre. This called upon me to declare in the most public manner that I was determined to espouse the interest of my friend against any such combination, and that whoever presumed to attack him should feel the weight of my heavy displeasure when I returned again to their island. My declaration probably had the desired effect. "

Papara seems to have had nothing to do with these quarrels. The first news Cook had received on his return, in August, 1777, was of Purea’s death, which seems to have occurred in 1775 or 1776. Amo had then another wife, taken, like Purea, from the Ahurai family. Her name was Taurua i Ahurai, a cousin of Purea, and she had a son, Temarii, best known in our family by the name of Arii fataia. According to Cook, Purea’s son Teriirere was still alive, and in that case must have been chief of Papara. Cook’s officers saw him at Faaa, when Towha and Tu met to reconcile their quarrel, in September 1777. He was received by the chief’s daughter, his cousin, with the ceremony of cutting her head with the shark’s tooth and shedding tears. When

Indigenous Histories