be difficult to give a more correct and descriptive account than has already been given in Cook's Voyages, written principally by Mr. Anderson, and which we shall beg leave to quote, first, out of respect to its accuracy, and secondly, because it involves a most interesting point of time, that in which the natives had come to the resolution of assassinating Captain Cook and his companions, as mentioned in page 64 of this volume. Those places which require explanation we shall elucidate by notes. The date of the following circumstances is the 18th of May, 1777.

"Next morning early, Feenow and Omai, "who scarcely ever quitted the chief, and now slept on shore, came on board. The object "of their visit was to require my presence

.6

upon the island. After some time, I accom

panied them; and upon landing was con“ducted to the same place where I had been "seated the day before, and where I saw a

66

large concourse of people already assembled.

"I guessed that something more than ordinary "was in agitation, but could not tell what, nor "could Omai inform me.

"I had not been long seated before near a hundred of the natives appeared in sight, "and advanced laden with yams, bread-fruit,

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plantains, cocoa-nuts, and sugar-canes. They deposited their burdens in two heaps or piles,

upon our left, being the side they came from. "Soon after arrived a number of others from “the right, bearing the same kind of articles, which were collected into two piles on that side. To these were tied two pigs and six fowls, and to those upon the left six pigs and two turtles. Earoupa seated himself before "the several articles upon the left, and another

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chief before those upon the right, they being, " as I judged, the two chiefs who had collected "them by order of Feenow, who seemed to be "as implicitly obeyed here as he had been at Anamooka: and in consequence of his commanding superiority over the chiefs of Hapaee, had laid this tax upon them for the present occasion.

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"As soon as this munificent collection of provisions was laid down in order, and disposed to the best advantage, the bearers of

it joined the multitude, who formed a large "circle round the whole. Presently after, a "number of men entered this circle or area

before us, armed with clubs made of the green branches of the cocoa-nut tree. These "paraded about for a few minutes and then "retired; the one half to one side end the

VOL. II.

X

"other half to the other side, seating them"selves before the spectators. Soon after, they "successively entered the lists, and entertained "us with single combats. One champion rising up and stepping forward from one side, "challenged those of the other side, by expressive gestures more than by words, to "send one of their body to oppose him. If "the challenge was accepted, which was ge"nerally the case, the two combatants put "themselves in proper attitudes, and then be

66

gan the engagement, which continued till "one or other owned himself conquered, or till "their weapons were broken. As soon as each "combat was over, the victor squatted himself "down facing the chief, then rose up and re"tired. At the same time, some old men who "seemed to sit as judges, gave their plaudit in "a few words; and the multitude, especially "those on the side to which the victor be"longed, celebrated the glory which he had "acquired, in two or three huzzas.

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"This entertainment was now and then sus

pended for a few minutes. During these in"tervals there were both wrestling and boxing "matches. The first were performed in the

same manner as at Otaheite, and the second 66 differed very little from the method practised

"in England. But what struck us with most surprise was, to see a couple of lusty wenches

66

step forth and begin boxing without the least 66 ceremony, and with as much art as the men. "This contest, however, did not last above “half a minute, before one of them gave it up. "The conquering heroine received the same "applause from the spectators which they be"stowed upon the successful combatants of "the other sex. We expressed some dislike "at this part of the entertainment, which, how"ever, did not prevent two other females from "entering the lists. They seemed to be girls "of spirit, and would certainly have given each "other a good drubbing, if two old women "had not interposed to part them. All these "combats were exhibited in the midst of, at "least, three thousand people, and were con"ducted with the greatest good humour on "all sides; though some of the champions, "women as well as men, received blows which "doubtless they must have felt for some time "after.

"As soon as these diversions were ended, "the chiefs told me that the heaps of provi"sions on our right hand were a present to "Omai, and that those on our left hand, being The women are always soon parted.

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"about two thirds of the whole quantity, were given to me. He added, that I might take them on board whenever it was convenient, "but that there would be no occasion to set any of our people as guards over them, as I might be assured that not a single cocoa-nut "would be taken away by the natives. So it proved, for I left every thing behind and re"turned to the ship to dinner, carrying the "chief with me, and when the provisions were " removed on board in the afternoon, not a single article was missing. There was as much "as loaded four boats, and I could not but be "struck with the munificence of Feenów, for "this present far exceeded any I had ever re"ceived from any of the sovereigns of the va"rious islands I had visited in the Pacific "Ocean. I lost no time in convincing my "friend that I was not insensible of his libera

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lity; for before he quitted my ship I be"stowed upon him such of our commodities "as I guessed were most valuable in his esti"mation. And the return I made was so "much to his satisfaction, that as soon as he "got on shore, he left me still indebted to him,

by sending me a fresh present, consisting of "two large hogs, a considerable quantity of "cloth, and some yams."