1777* THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 91 



the objects of envy. It was very different with Omai. 

 He was to live amongst those who are strangers, in a 

 great measure, to any other principle of action be- 

 sides the immediate impulse of their natural feelings. 

 But what was his principal danger, he was to be 

 placed in the very singular situation, of being the 

 only rich man in the community to which he was to 

 belong ; and having, by a fortunate connection with 

 us, got into his possession an accumulated quantity 

 of a species of treasure which none of his country- 

 men could create by any art or industry of their 

 own : while all coveted a share of this envied wealth, 

 it was natural to apprehend, that all would be ready 

 to join in attempting to strip its sole proprietor. 



To prevent this, if possible, I desired him to make 

 a proper distribution of some of his moveables to 

 two or three of the principal chiefs ; who, being 

 thus gratified themselves, might be induced to take 

 him under their patronage, and protect him from 

 the injuries of others. He promised to follow my 

 advice ; and I heard, with satisfaction, before I 

 sailed, that this very prudent step had been taken. 

 Not trusting, however, entirely to the operation of 

 gratitude, I had recourse to the more forcible motive 

 of intimidation. With this view, I took every oppor- 

 tunity of notifying to the inhabitants, that it was my 

 intention to return to their island again, after being 

 absent the usual time ; and that if I did not find 

 Omai in the same state of security in which J was 

 now to leave him, all those whom 1 should then dis- 

 cover to have been his enemies, might expect to feel 

 the weight of my resentment. This threatening de- 

 claration will probably have no inconsiderable effect ; 

 for our successive visits of late years have taught 

 these people to believe, that our ships are to return 

 at certain periods ; and while they continue to be 

 impressed with such a notion, which I thought it a 

 fair stratagem to confirm, Omai has some prospect 



