1777- THE pacific ocean. 377 



bowl, adding as much water as will make it of a 

 proper strength. It is then well mixe'd up with 

 the hands ; and some loose stuff, of which mats 

 are made, is thrown upon the surface, which inter- 

 cepts the fibrous part, and is wrung hard to get as 

 much liquid out from it as is possible. The manner 

 of distributing it need not be repeated. The quan- 

 tity which is put into each cup, is commonly about 

 a quarter of a pint. The immediate effect of this 

 beverage is not perceptible on these people who use 

 it so frequently ; but on some of ours who ventured 

 to try it, though so hastily prepared, it had the same 

 power as spirits have in intoxicating them ; or rather, 

 it produced that kind of stupefaction which is the 

 consequence of using opium, or other substances of 

 that kind. It should be observed, at the same time, 

 that though these islanders have this liquor always 

 fresh prepared, and I have seen them drink it seven 

 times before noon, it is, nevertheless, so disagree- 

 able, or at least seems so, that the greatest part of 

 them cannot swallow it without making wry faces, 

 and shuddering afterward." 



As soon as this mourning ceremony was over, we 

 left Mooa, and set out to return to the ships. While 

 we rowed down the lagQon or inlet, we met with two 

 canoes coming in from fishing. Poulaho ordered 

 them to be called alongside our boat, and took from 

 them every fish and shell they had got. He after- 

 ward stopped two other canoes and searched them, 

 but they had nothing. Why this was done I cannot 

 say, for we had plenty of provisions in the boat. 

 Some of this fish he gave to me ; and his servants 

 sold the rest on board the ship. As we proceeded 

 down the inlet, we overtook a large sailing canoe. 

 Every person on board her that was upon his legs 

 when we came up, sat down till we had passed ; even 

 the man who steered, though he could not manage 

 the helm except in a standing posture. 



Poulaho and others having informed me that there 



