1769. HOUND THE WORLD. 149 



On the 12th, complaint being made to me, by 

 some of the natives, that two of the seamen had 

 taken from them several bows and arrows, and some 

 strings of plaited hair, I examined the matter, and 

 finding the charge well supported, I punished each 

 of the criminals with two-dozen lashes. 



Their bows and arrows have not been mentioned 

 before, nor were they often brought down to the 

 fort. This day, however, Tubourai Tamaide brought 

 down his, in consequence of a challenge which he 

 had received from Mr. Gore. The chief supposed 

 it was to try who could send the arrow farthest ; Mr. 

 Gore, who best could hit a mark ; and as Mr. Gore 

 did not value himself upon shooting to a great dis- 

 tance, nor the chief upon hitting a mark, there was 

 no trial of skill between them. Tubourai Tamaide, 

 however, to show us what he could do, drew his 

 bow, and sent an arrow, none of which are feathered, 

 two hundred and seventy-four yards, which is some- 

 thing more than a seventh, and something less than a 

 sixth part of a mile. Their manner of shooting is 

 somewhat singular; they kneel down, and the moment 

 the arrow is discharged drop the bow. 



Mr. Banks, in his morning walk this day, met a 

 number of the natives, whom, upon enquiry, he 

 found to be travelling musicians ; and having learnt 

 where they were to be at night, we all repaired to 

 the place. The band consisted of two flutes and 

 three drums, and we found a great number of people 

 assembled upon the occasion. The drummers ac- 

 companied the music with their voices, and, to our 

 great surprise, we discovered that we were generally 

 the subject of the song. We did not expect to have 

 found among the uncivilized inhabitants of this se- 

 questered spot a character, which has been the sub- 

 ject of such praise and veneration where genius and 

 knowledge have been most conspicuous ; yet these 

 were the bards or minstrels of Otaheite. Their song 

 was unpremeditated, and accompanied with music j 



L 3 



