134 cook's first voyage may, 



CHAP. XIII. 



ANOTHER VISIT TO TOOTAHAH, WITH VARIOUS ADVENTURES : 

 EXTRAORDINARY AMUSEMENT OF THE INDIANS, WITH RE- 

 MARKS UPON IT : PREPARATIONS TO OBSERVE THE TRANSIT 

 OF VENUS, AND WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MEAN TIME AT 

 THE FORT. 



On the 27tb, it was determined that we should pay 

 our visit to Tootahah, though we were not very con- 

 fident that we should receive the hogs for our pains. 

 I therefore set out early in the morning, with Mr. 

 Banks and Dr. Solander, and three others, in the 

 pinnace. He was now removed from Tettahah, 

 where Mr. Hicks had seen him, to a place called Ata- 

 HOURou, about six miles farther, and as we could 

 not go above half-way thither in the boat, it was al- 

 most evening before we arrived : we found him in 

 his usual state, sitting under a tree, with a great 

 crowd about him. We made our presents in due 

 form, consisting of a yellow stuff petticoat, and some 

 'other trifling articles, which were graciously received; 

 a hog was immediately ordered to be killed and 

 dressed for supper, with a promise of more in the 

 morning : however, as we were less desirous of feast- 

 ing upon our journey than of carrying back with us 

 provisions, which would be more welcome at the fort, 

 we procured a reprieve for the hog, and supped upon 

 the fruits of the country. As night now came on, 

 and the place was crowded with many more than 

 the houses and canoes would contain ; there being 

 Oberea with her attendants, and many other travel- 

 lers whom we knew, we began to look out for lodg- 

 ings. Our party consisted of six : Mr. Banks thought 

 himself fortunate in being offered a place by Obe- 

 rea in her canoe, and wishing his friends a good 



