120 COOK S FIIlST VOYAGE MAY, 



US several times, but after a short absence returned ; 

 we thought it had been to shew himself in his new 

 finery to the people, but we wronged him, for it was 

 to give directions for our refreshment and entertain- 

 ment. While we were waiting for his return the last 

 time he left us, very impatient to be dismissed, as we 

 were almost suffocated in the crowd, word was brought 

 us, that he expected us elsewhere : we found him 

 sitting under the awning of our own boat, and mak- 

 ing signs that we should come to him : as many of us 

 therefore went on board as the boat would hold, and 

 he then ordered bread-fruit and cocoa-nuts to be 

 brought, of both which we tasted, rather to gratify 

 him than because we had a desire to eat. A message 

 was soon after brought him, upon which he went out 

 of the boat, and we were in a short time desired to 

 follow. We were conducted to a large area or court- 

 yard, which was railed round with bamboos about 

 three feet high, on one side of his house, where an 

 entertainment was provided for us, entirely new : this 

 was a wrestling-match. At the upper end of the 

 area sat the chief, and several of his principal men 

 were ranged on each side of him, so as to form a se- 

 micircle ; these \vere the judges, by whom the victor 

 was to be applauded ; seats were also left for us at 

 each end of the line ; but we chose rather to be at 

 liberty among the rest of the spectators. 



When all w^as ready, ten or twelve persons, whom 

 we understood to be the combatants, and who were 

 naked, except a cloth that was fastened about the 

 waist, entered the area, and walked slowly round it, 

 in a stooping posture, with their left hands on their 

 right breasts, and their right hands open, with which 

 they frequently struck the left fore-arm so as to pro- 

 duce a quick smart sound : this was a general chal- 

 lenge to the combatants whom they were to engage, 

 or any other person present : after these followed 

 others in the same manner, and then a particular chal- 

 lenge was given, by which each man singled out his 



