176 VOYAGE TO THE 



chap, differing from that of any instrument of the kind I 



^— - rw had ever heard. 

 , J oor' The other drums were about three feet and a half 



in height by nine inches in diameter, similar in 

 other respects to the large one. The proficiency in 

 execution to which the natives have attained, and 

 the perfection in the manufacture of these instru- 

 ments, leave little doubt of their taking much de- 

 light in the amusement of dancing, though, gene- 

 rally speaking, they do not appear to be a lively 

 people. I used every endeavour, but in vain, to 

 persuade the areghe to favour us with one of these 

 exhibitions, and among others, I made the marines 

 go through some of their manoeuvres, in the hope 

 that he would exhibit something in return ; this, 

 however, had a very different effect from what was 

 intended ; for the motions of the marines were mis- 

 interpreted, and so alarmed some of the bystanders, 

 that several made off, while others put themselves 

 into an attitude of defence, so that I speedily dis- 

 missed the party. 



This interview was deficient in those ceremonies 

 which threw such a lively interest over the voy- 

 ages of Captain Cook, and, what was equally mor- 

 tifying to us, it did not obtain those supplies of 

 fruit and vegetables which generally attended his 

 visits ; although we waited a considerable time in 

 the hope of inducing the chiefs to come on board 

 the ship, and in the expectation of some supplies be- 

 fore we quitted them, but to no purpose. I there- 

 fore summoned our party together, and we took 

 leave of the chiefs, both of whom retired, leaving us 

 in the hands of the mob. On removing the drum 

 which had been sold by the areghe, two of the 



