1777* THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 107 



legged ; and at times in the most humble posture, 

 with down-cast eyes, and hands locked together ; 

 all w T hich requisites were most devoutly observed by 

 the whole assembly. And, lastly, every one was 

 excluded from the solemnity, but the principal peo- 

 ple, and those who assisted in the celebration. All 

 these circumstances were to me a sufficient testimony, 

 that, upon this occasion, they considered themselves 

 as acting under the immediate inspection of a 

 Supreme Being. 



The present Natche may be considered from the 

 above account of it as merelv figurative. For the 

 small quantity of yams, which we saw the first day, 

 could not be intended as a general contribution ; 

 and, indeed, we were given to understand, that they 

 were a portion consecrated to the Olooa or divinity. 

 But we were informed, that in about three months 

 there would be performed, on the same account, a 

 far more important and grander solemnity ; on which 

 occasion, not only the tribute of Tongataboo, but 

 that of Hapaee, Vavaoo, and of all the other islands, 

 would be brought to the chief, and confirmed more 

 awfully, by sacrificing ten human victims from 

 amongst the inferior sort of people. A horrid so- 

 lemnity, indeed ! and which is a most significant in- 

 stance of the influence of gloomy and ignorant 

 superstition, over the minds of one of the most 

 benevolent and humane nations upon earth. On 

 inquiring into the reasons of so barbarous a practice, 

 they only said, that it was a necessary part of the 

 Natche ; and that if they omitted it, the deity would 

 certainly destroy their king. 



Before the assembly broke up, the day was far 

 spent ; and as we were at some distance from the 

 ships, and had an intricate navigation to go through, 

 we were in haste to set out from Mooa. When I 

 took leave of Poulaho, he pressed me much to stay 

 till the next day, to be present at a funeral ceremony. 

 The wife of Mareewagee, who was mother-in-law to 



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