172 VOYAGE TO THE 



C ^ P - made from the feathers of the frigate-bird, or black 

 *— ~y— ' tern ; his body was extensively tattooed, and from 

 1826. the loins to the ankles he was covered with small 

 lines, which at a distance had the appearance of pan- 

 taloons. Long nails, and rolls of skin overhanging 

 his hips, pointed out his exemption from labour, and 

 an indulgence in luxuries which in all probability 

 attached to him in virtue of his birthright. He was 

 introduced to us as an areghe or chief ; he did not rise 

 from his seat, but gave the nasal salutation in his 

 squatting posture, which in the Friendly Islands is 

 considered a mark of respect. 



An exchange of presents succeeded this meeting. 

 Some scarlet cloth, which I had brought on shore 

 for the purpose, was placed over his shoulders, and 

 closed by a buckle in front, which delighted the sub- 

 jects as much as the chief, who, in return, presented 

 me with his crown, and intimated that I should wear 

 it by placing it upon my hat. This friendly under- 

 standing I endeavoured to turn to our advantage by 

 making him understand, as well as I could by signs 

 and Otaheitan words, that we would barter articles 

 we had brought with us for fruit and vegetables ; 

 and in the hope of this being acceded to, we waited 

 longer at the village than we should otherwise have 

 done ; but the only answer we got was " Bobo mai," 

 which from the Otaheitan vocabulary we should 

 interpret " Here to-morrow ;" but its application in 

 the Gambier groupe was so various as to leave us 

 much in doubt whether they were not disposed to 

 turn our imperfect use of it to their own advantage. 

 Our visit to the village brought a great accession to 

 its usual inhabitants, and several hundred people 

 had collected about us, but the greatest order pre- 



