1777* THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 329 



with us as such, for he soon perceived that we had 

 some doubts about it ; which doubts Omai was not 

 very desirous of removing. The closest connection 

 had been formed between him and Feenou, in testi- 

 mony of which they had exchanged names ; and, 

 therefore, he was not a little chagrined that another 

 person now put in his claim to the honours which 

 his friend had hitherto enjoyed. 



Poulaho sat down with us to dinner ; but he ate 

 little, and drank less. When we arose from the table, 

 he desired me to accompany him ashore. Omai 

 was asked to be of the party ; but he was too faith- 

 fully attached to Feenou to show any attention to his 

 competitor ; and therefore excused himself. I at- 

 tended the chief in my own boat, having first made 

 presents to him of such articles as I could observe 

 he valued much, and were even beyond his expect- 

 ation to receive. I was not disappointed in my view 

 of thus securing his friendship ; for the moment the 

 boat reached the beach, and before he quitted her, 

 he ordered two more hogs to be brought and de- 

 livered to my people to be conveyed on board. He 

 was then carried out of the boat by some of his own 

 people upon a board resembling a hand-barrow, and 

 went and seated himself in a small house near the 

 shore, which seemed to have been erected there for 

 his accommodation. He placed me at his side ; and 

 his attendants, who were not numerous, seated them- 

 selves in a semi-circle before us on the outside of the 

 house. Behind the chief, or rather on one side, sat 

 an old woman with a sort of fan in her hand, whose 

 office it was to prevent his being pestered with the 

 flies. 



The several articles which his people had got by 

 trading on board the ships were now displayed be- 

 fore him. He looked over them all with attention, 

 inquired what they had given in exchange, and 

 seemed pleased with the bargains they had made. 

 At length he ordered every thing to be restored to 



