12G cook's first voyage 31 ay, 



CHAP. XII. 



SOME LADIES VISIT THE FORT WITH VERY UNCOMMON CE- 

 REMONIES : THE INDIANS ATTEND DIVINE SERVICE, AND 

 IN THE EVENING EXHIBIT A MOST EXTRAORDINARY SPEC- 

 TACLE : TUBOURAI TAMAIDE FALLS INTO TEMPTATION. 



Friday, the 12th of May, was distinguished by 

 a visit from some ladies whom we had never seen be- 

 fore, and who introduced themselves with some very 

 singular ceremonies. Mr. Banks was trading in his 

 boat at the gate of the fort as usual, in company 

 with Tootahah, who had that morning paid him a 

 visit, and some other of the natives ; between nine 

 and ten o'clock, a double canoe came to the landing- 

 place, under the awning of which sat a man and two 

 women : the Indians that were about Mr. Banks 

 made signs that he should go out to meet them, 

 which he hastened to do ; but by the time he could 

 g^et out of the boat, they had advanced within ten 

 yards of him ; they then stopped, and made signs 

 that he should do so too, laying down about a dozen 

 young plantain trees, and some other small plants : 

 he complied, and the people having made a lane be- 

 tween them, the man, who appeared to be a servant, 

 brought six of them to Mr. Banks by one of each at 

 a time, passing and repassing six times, and always 

 pronouncing a short sentence when he delivered them. 

 Tupia, who stood by Mr. Banks, acted as his master 

 of the ceremonies, and receiving the branches as 

 they were brought, laid them down in the boat. 

 When this was done, another man brought a large 

 bundle of cloth, which having opened, he spread 

 piece by piece upon the ground, in the space between 

 Mr. Banks and his visitors ; there were nine pieces, 



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