3Z6 cook's second voyage april, 



This being over, the chiefs took leave and retired 

 with all their attendants, scarcely more pleased than 

 frightened at what they had seen. In the evening, 

 Mr. Forster and his party returned from the moun- 

 tains, where he had spent the night, having found 

 some new plants, and some others which grew in 

 New Zealand. He saw Huaheine, which lies forty 

 leagues to the westward ; by which a judgment may 

 be formed of the height of the mountains in Otaheite. 



Next morning I had an opportunity to see the 

 people of ten war-canoes go through part of their 

 paddling exercise. They had put off from the shore 

 before I was apprized of it ; so that I was only pre- 

 sent at their landing. They were properly equipped 

 for war, the warriors with their arms, and dressed in 

 their war habits^ &c. In landing, I observed that the 

 moment the canoe touched the ground, all the rowers 

 leaped out, and, with the assistance of a few people 

 on the shore, dragged the canoe on dry land to her 

 proper place ; which being done, every one walked 

 off with his paddle, &c. All this w 7 as executed with 

 such expedition, that, in five minutes' time after 

 putting ashore, you could not tell that any thing of 

 the kind had been going forward. I thought these 

 vessels were thinly manned with rowers ; the most 

 being not above thirty, and the least sixteen or eigh- 

 teen. I observed the warriors on the stage encou- 

 raged the rowers to exert themselves. Some youths 

 sat high up in the curved stern, above the steersmen, 

 with white wands in their hands. I know not what 

 they were placed there for ; unless it was to look 

 out, and direct, or give notice of what they saw, as 

 they were elevated above every one else. Tarevatoo, 

 the king's brother, gave me the first notice of these 

 canoes being at sea ; and, knowing that Mr. Hodges 

 made drawings of every thing curious, desired, of his 

 own accord, that he might be sent for. I being at 

 this time on shore with Tarevatoo, Mr. Hodges was, 

 therefore, with me, and had an opportunity to collect 



