I 



1769. ROUND THE WORLD. I67 



the kind in Otaheite. They attempted to give us an 

 explanation of its use and design, but we had not 

 then acquired enough of their language to understand 

 them. We learnt, however, afterwards, that it was a 

 representation of Mauwe, one of their Eatuas, or gods 

 of the second class. 



After having settled our affairs with Omoe, we pro- 

 ceeded on our return, and soon reached Opoureonu, 

 the north-west peninsula. After rowing a few miles, 

 we went on shore again, but the only thing we saw 

 worth notice was a repository for the dead, uncom- 

 monly decorated : the pavement was extremely neat, 

 and upon it was raised a pyramid, about five feet 

 high, which was entirely covered with the fruits of 

 two plants, peculiar to the country. Near the pyra- 

 mid was a small image of stone, of very rude work- 

 manship, and the first instance of carving in stone 

 that we had seen among these people. They appear- 

 ed to set a high value upon it, for it was covered 

 from the weather by a shed, that had been erected 

 on purpose. 



We proceeded in the boat, and passed through the 

 only harbour, on the south side of Opoureonu, that 

 is fit for shipping. It is situated about five miles to 

 the westward of the isthmus, between two small 

 islands that lie near the shore, and about a mile dis- 

 tant from each other, and affords good anchorage in 

 eleven and twelve fathom water. We were now not 

 far from the district called Paparra, which belonged 

 to our friends Oamo and Oberea, where we proposed 

 to sleep. We went on shore about an hour before 

 night, and found that they were both absent, having 

 left their habitations to pay us a visit at Matavai : 

 this, however, did not alter our purpose, we took up 

 our quarters at the house of Oberea, which, though 

 small, was very neat, and at this time had no inhabi- 

 tant but her father, who received us with looks that 

 bid us welcome. Having taken possession, we were 

 willing to improve the little day-light that was left 



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