THEPACIFIC OCEAN. 69 



the firft thine introduced, not only in all their relieious ce- , '777. 



'^ ■" " _ September. 



remonies, but in all their debates, whether of a public or < >r— ' 



private nature. It is alfo ufed on other occafions ; perhaps 

 many more than we know of. While Towha was at Eimeo, 

 one or more meiTengers came from him to Otoo every day. 

 The meflenger always came with a young plantain tree m 

 his hand, which he laid down at Otoo's feet, before he fpokc 

 a word; then fcated himfelf before hira, and related what 

 he was charged with. I have feen two men in fuch high 

 difpute that I expedted they would proceed to blows ; yet, 

 on one laying a plantain tree before the other, they have 

 both become cool, and carried on the argument without far- 

 ther animofity. In fliort, it is, upon all occafions, the 

 olive-branch of thefc people. 



The war with Eimeo, and the folemn rites which were 

 the confequencc of ir, being thus finally clofed, all our 

 friends paid us a vifit on the 86th ; and, as they knew that Friday zff* 

 we were upon the point of failing, brought with them more 

 hogs than we could take off their hands. For, having no 

 fait lefr, to preferve any, we wanted no more than for pre- 

 fent ufe. 



The next day, I accompanied Otoo to Oparre ; and, before Saturday tj-* 

 I left it, I looked at the cattle and poultry, which I had con- 

 figned to my friend's care, at that place. Every thing was 

 in a promifing way ; and properly attended unto. Two of 

 the geefc, and two of the ducks were fitting; but the pea 

 and turkey hens had not begun to lay. I got from Otoo- 

 four goats ; two of which I intended to leave at Ulietea, 

 where none had as yet been introduced ; and the other two, 

 I propofed to referve for the ufe of any other iflands I might 

 meet with, in my pafTage to the North. 



* , A circum>- 



