28 cook's VOYAGE TO AUG. 



partizans there had been worsted, and obliged to re- 

 treat to the mountains. The quarrel between the two 

 islands, which commenced in 1774, as mentioned in 

 the account of my last voyage, had, it seems, partly sub- 

 sisted ever since. The formidable armament which 

 I saw, at that time, and described*, had sailed soon 

 after I then left Otaheite ; but the malcontents of 

 Eimeo had made so stout a resistance, that the fleet 

 had returned without effecting much ; and now an- 

 other expedition was necessary. 



On the arrival of these messengers, all the chiefs, 

 who happened to be at Matavai, assembled at Otoo's 

 house, where I actually was at the time, and had the 

 honour to be admitted into their council. One of the 

 messengers opened the business of the assembly, in 

 a speech of considerable length. But I understood 

 little of it, besides its general purport, which was to 

 explain the situation of affairs in Eimeo; and to ex- 

 cite the assembled chiefs of Otaheite to arm on the 

 occasion. This opinion was combated by others, 

 who were against commencing hostilities ; and the 

 debate was carried on with great order ; no more than 

 one man speaking at a time. At last they became 

 very noisy, and I expected that our meeting would 

 have ended like a Polish diet. But the contending 

 great men cooled as fast as they grew warm, and 

 order was soon restored. At length, the party for 

 war prevailed ; and it was determined that a strong 

 force should be sent to assist their friends in Eimeo. 

 But this resolution was far from being unanimous. 

 Otoo, during the whole debate, remained silent ; ex- 

 cept that, now and then, he addressed a word or two 

 to the speakers. Those of the council, who were for 

 prosecuting the war, applied to me for my assistance; 

 and all of them wanted to know what part I would 

 take. Omai was sent for to be my interpreter ; but, 

 as he could not be found, I was obliged to speak for 



* See Cook's Voyage, vol. iii. chap. 13. 



