THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 



S9 



liflied their weapons, and played a hundred antic tricks, „ '777- 



* '■ ■' September. 



which could anfwer no other end, in ray judgment, than to 

 work up their pafTions, and prepare them for fighting. 

 Otoo flood by the fide of our flage, and gave the neceflary 

 orders, when to advance, and when to retreat. In this, 

 great judgment, and a cjuick eye, combined together, feemed 

 rcquifite, to feize every advantage that might offer, and to 

 avoid giving any advantage to the adverfary. At laft, after 

 advancing and retreating to and from each other, at leaft a 

 dozen of times, the two canoes clofcd, head to head, or 

 llage to flage ; and, afcer a fhort conilicfl:, the troops on our 

 flage were fuppofed to be all killed, and we were boarded 

 by Omai and his affociates. At that very inflant, Otoo, and 

 all our paddlcrs leaped over-board, as if reduced to the nc- 

 ceflity of endeavouring to fave their lives by fwimming. 



If Omai's information is to be depended upon, their naval 

 engagements are not always conduced in this manner. He 

 told mc, that they fometimes begin with lafliing the two 

 vefTels together, head to head, and then fight till all the 

 warriors are killed, on one fide or the other. But tliis clofc 

 combat, I apprehend, is never pra(5tifed, but when they are 

 determined to conquer or die. Indeed, one or the other 

 muft happen ; for all agree, that they never give quarter, 

 tmlefs it be to rcferve their prifoners for a more cruel death 

 the next day. 



The power and ftrength of thefe iflands lie entirely in 

 their navies. I never heard of a general engageiTient on 

 land ; and all their decifive battles are fought on the water. 

 If the time and place of confli(5l are fixed upon by both 

 parties, the preceding day and night are fpent in diverfions 

 and feafting. Toward morning, they launch the canoes, 

 put every thing in order, and, with the day, begin the 



I 2 battles 



