1778. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 195 



the bodies of their enemies, it was suspected to have 

 the same use here. One of the natives being asked 

 about this, immediately gave the name of the instru- 

 ment, and told us that it was used to cut out the 

 fleshy part of the belly, when any person was killed. 

 This explained and confirmed the circumstance above- 

 mentioned, of the person pointing to his belly. The 

 man, however, from whom we had this information, 

 being asked, if his countrymen eat the part thus cut 

 out ? denied it strongly ; but, upon the question being 

 repeated, shewed some degree of fear, and swam to 

 his canoe. Just before he reached it, he made signs, 

 as he had done before, expressive of the use of the 

 instrument. And an old man, who sat foremost in the 

 canoe, being then asked, whether they eat the flesh ? 

 answered in the affirmative, and laughed, seemingly 

 at the simplicity of such a question. He affirmed 

 the fact, on being asked again ; and also said it was 

 excellent food, or, as he expressed it, " savoury 

 eating." 



At seven o'clock in the evening, the boats returned 

 with the two tons of water, a few hogs, a quantity 

 of plantains, and some roots. Mr. King informed 

 me, that a great number of the inhabitants were at 

 the watering or landing-place. He supposed that 

 they had come from all parts of the island. They 

 had brought with them a great many fine fat hogs to 

 barter ; but my people had not commodities with 

 them equal to the purchase. This, however, was no 

 great loss ; for we had already got as many on board 

 as we could well manage for immediate use ; and, 

 wanting the materials, we could not have salted them. 

 Mr. King also told me, that a great deal of rain had 

 fallen ashore, whereas, out at sea, we had only a few 

 showers ; and that the surf had run so high, that it 

 was with great difficulty our men landed, and golr 

 back into the boats. 



We had light airs and calms, by turns, with showers 

 of rain, all night ; and at day-break, in the morning 



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