3 777- THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 263 



that had been dressed, was then set before each of 

 us, of which we were desired to eat. Our appetites, 

 however, had failed from the fatigue of the day ; 

 and though we did eat a little to please them, it was 

 without satisfaction to ourselves. 



u It being now near sun-set, we told them it was 

 time to go on board. This they allowed ; and sent 

 down to the beach the remainder of the victuals that 

 that had been dressed, to be carried with us to the 

 ships. But before w r e set out, Omai was treated with 

 a drink he had been used to in his own country ; 

 which, we observed, was made here as at other islands 

 in the South Sea, by chewing the root of a sort of 

 pepper. We found a canoe ready to put us off to 

 our boats ; which the natives did with the same 

 caution as when we landed. But even here their 

 thievish disposition did not leave them ; for a person 

 of some consequence among them, who came with 

 us, took an opportunity, just as they were pushing 

 the canoe into the surf, to snatch a bag out of her 

 which 1 had, with the greatest difficulty, preserved 

 all the day, there being in it a small pocket-pistol 

 which I was unwilling to part with. Perceiving 

 him, I called out, expressing as much displeasure as 

 I could ; on which he thought proper to return, and 

 swim with the bag to the canoe, but denied he had 

 stolen it, though detected in the very act. They 

 put us on board our boats, with the cocoa-nuts, plan- 

 tains, and other provisions which they had brought ; 

 and we rowed to the ships very well pleased that we 

 had at last got out of the hands of our troublesome 

 masters. 



" We regretted much, that our restrained situation 

 gave us so little opportunity of making observations 

 on the country. For, during the whole day, we 

 were seldom a hundred yards from the place where 

 we were introduced to the chiefs on landing ; and, 

 consequently, were confined to the surrounding ob- 

 jects. The first thing that presented itself worthy 



s 4 



