1777- THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 55 



thing put in order, I began to think of leaving the 

 island, that I might have sufficient time to spare for 

 visiting others in this neighbourhood. With this 

 view, we removed from the shore our observatories 

 and instruments, and bent the sails. Early the next 

 morning, Otoo came on board to acquaint me, that 

 all the war canoes of Matavai, and of the three 

 other districts adjoining, were going to Oparre, to 

 join those belonging to that part of the island ; and 

 that there would be a general review there. Soon 

 after, the squadron of Matavai was all in motion ; 

 and, after parading a while about the bay, assembled 

 ashore near the middle of it. I now went in my boat 

 to take a view of them. 



Of those with stages on which they right, or what 

 they call their war-canoes, there were about sixty, 

 with near as many more of a smaller size. I was 

 ready to have attended them to Oparre ; but, soon 

 after, a resolution was taken by the chiefs, that they 

 should not move till the next day. I looked upon 

 this to be a fortunate delay, as it afforded me a good 

 opportunity to get some insight into their manner of 

 fighting. With this view, I expressed my wish to Otoo 

 that he would order some of them to go through the ne- 

 cessary manoeuvres. Two were, accordingly, order- 

 ed out into the bay, in one of which Otoo, Mr. King, 

 and myself embarked, and Omai went on board the 

 other. When we had got sufficient sea-room, we faced 

 and advanced upon each other, and retreated by 

 turns, as quick as our rowers could paddle. During 

 this, the warriors on the stages flourished their wea- 

 pons, and playeH a hundred antic tricks, which could 

 answer no other end, in my judgment, than to work 

 up their passions, and prepare them for fighting. 

 Otoo stood by the side of our stage, and gave the 

 necessary orders when to advance and when to 

 retreat. In this, great judgment and a quick eye 

 combined together seemed requisite, to seize every 

 advantage that might offer, and to avoid giving any 



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