1774- ROUND THE WORLD. 343 



tavia on my return from my former voyage, and be 

 had been with me ever since. I never learnt that he 

 had either friends or connexions to confine him to 

 any particular part of the world. All nations were 

 alike to him. Where then could such a man be more 

 happy than at one of these isles ? Where, in one of 

 the finest climates in the world, he could enjoy not 

 only the necessaries, but the luxuries of life, in ease 

 and plenty. I know not if he might not have ob- 

 tained my consent, if he had applied for it in proper 

 time. As soon as we had got him on board, and the 

 boat in, I steered for Huaheine, in order to pay a 

 visit to our friends there. But before we leave Ota- 

 heite, it will be necessary to give some account of the 

 present state of that island ; especially as it differs 

 very much from what it was eight months before. 



I have already mentioned the improvements we 

 found in the plains of Oparree and Matavai. The 

 same was observed in every other part into which we 

 came. It seemed to us almost incredible that so 

 many large canoes and houses could be built in so 

 short a space as eight months. The iron tools which 

 they had got from the English, and other nations who 

 have lately touched at the isle, had, no doubt, greatly 

 accelerated the work ; and they have no want of 

 hands, as I shall soon make appear. 



The number of hogs was another thing that ex- 

 cited our wonder. Probably they were not so scarce 

 when we were here before as we imagined, and, not 

 choosing to part with any, they had conveyed them 

 out of our sight. Be this as it may, we now not only 

 got as many as we could consume during our stay, 

 but some to take to sea with us. 



When I was last here, I conceived but. an unfa- 

 vourable opinion of Otoo's talents. The improve- 

 ments since made in the island convinced me of my 

 mistake ; and that he must be a man of good parts. 

 He has, indeed, some judicious sensible men about 

 him , who, I believe, have a great share in the go- 



z 4* 



