1773- ROUND THE WOULD. 102 



loud acclamations. Not one of them had so much as 

 a stick, or any other weapon in their bands ; an in- 

 dubitable sign of their pacific intentions* They 

 thronged so thick round the boats with cloth, mat- 

 ting, &c. to exchange for nails, that it was some 

 time before we could get room to land. They 

 seemed to be more desirous to give than receive ; for 

 many who could not get near the boats,, threw into 

 them, over the others' heads, whole bales of cloth, 

 and then retired, without either asking, or waiting to 

 get any thing in return. At length the chief caused 

 them to open to the right and left, and make room 

 for us to land. He then conducted us up to his 

 house, which was situated about three hundred yards 

 from the sea, at the head of a fine lawn, and under 

 the shade of some shaddock trees. The situation 

 was most delightful. In front was the sea, and the 

 ships at anchor ; behind, and on each side, were 

 plantations, in which were some of the richest pro- 

 ductions of nature. The floor was laid with mats, on 

 which we were seated, and the people seated them- 

 selves in a circle round us on the outside. Having 

 the bagpipes with us, I ordered them to be played ; 

 and, in return the chief directed three young women 

 to sing a song, which they did with a very good grace ; 

 and having made each of them a present, this im- 

 mediately set all the women in the circle a singing. 

 Their songs were musical and harmonious, and no- 

 ways harsh or disagreeable. After sitting here some 

 time, we were, at our own request, conducted into 

 one of the adjoining plantations, where the chief had 

 another house, into which we were introduced. Ban- 

 anoes and cocoa-nuts, were set before us to eat, and 

 a bowl of liquor prepared in our presence of the juice 

 of eava for us to drink. Pieces of the root were first 

 offered to us to chew ; but as we excused ourselves 

 from assisting in the operation, this was performed by 

 others. When sufficiently chewed, it was put into a 

 large wooden bowl ; then mixed with water, in the 



