'777- hitherto done for us. The next day, all the royal family 



ptemuer. ^ - J 



* ' came with prefcnts; fo that our wants were not only relieved, 



Saturday 20. 



58 AVOYAGETO 



>777- 

 September, 



but we had more provifions than we could con fume. 



Having got all our water on board, the fliips being caulked, 

 the rigging overhauled, and every thing put in order, I began 

 to think of leaving the ifland, that I might have fufficient 

 time to fpare for vifuing the others in this neighbourhood. 

 With this view, we removed from the fliore our obferva- 

 tories, and indruments, and bent the fails. Early the next 

 "° "y^'- morning, Otoo came on board to acquaint me, that all the 

 •war canoes of Matavai, and of three other di Uriels adjoin- 

 ing, were going to Oparre, to join thofe belonging to that 

 part of the ifland ; and that there would be a general re- 

 view there. Soon after, the fquadron of Matavai was all 

 in motion ; and, after parading a while about the bay, af- 

 femblcd afhore, near the middle of it. I now went in 

 ray boat to take a view of them. 



Of thofe witli (tages, on which they fight, or what they 

 call their war canoes, there were about fixty ; with near as 

 many more of a fmaller fize. I was ready to have attend- 

 ed them to Oparre ; but, foon after, a rcfolution was taken 

 by the Chiefs, that they fliould not move till the next day. 

 I looked upon this to be a fortunate delay, as it aflbrded me 

 a good opportunity to get fome infight into their manner 

 of fighting. With this view, I exprefled my wilh to Otoo, 

 that he would order fome of them to go through the ne- 

 ccflary manoeuvres. Two were, accordingly, ordered out 

 into the bay ; in one of which, Otoo, Mr. King, and myfclf 

 cmbaikcd ; and Omai went on board the other. When \sie. 

 had got fufiicient fea-rooiu, we faced, and advanced upon 

 each other, and retreated by turns, as quick as our rowers 

 could paddle. Daring this, the warriors on the ftages flou- 



3 riflied 



