THEPACIFICOCEAN. ro; 



bcffinninG:. This, however, may be cxcufed, if we confider tliat ,, '777- 



. , Noverriber. 



it is common ro his countrymen. His father was, doubtlefs, > ^ — ' 



a man of confiderablc property in Ulietea, when that illand 

 was conquered by thofe of Bolabola ; and, with many others, 

 fought refuge in Huaheine, where lie died, and left Omai, 

 wifli fome other children; who, by that means, became 

 totally dependent. In this fituation he was taken up by 

 Captain Furneaux, and carried to England. Whether he 

 really expeLT;ed, from his treatment there, that any aflill- 

 ance would be given him againft the enemies of his father 

 and his country ; or whether he imagined that his own per- 

 fonal courage, and fuperiority of knowledge, would be fuf- 

 ficient to difpofI<:fs the conquerors of Ulietea, is uncertain; 

 but from the beginning of the voyage, this was his con- 

 flant theme. He would not lillcn to our remonftranccs on 

 fo wild a determination ; but flew into a paflion, if more 

 moderate and reafonable counfcls were propofed for his ad- 

 vantage. Nay, fo infatuated and attached to his favourite 

 fcheme was he, that he afFetfted to believe thefe people 

 would certainly quit the conquered ifland, as foon as they 

 fliould hear of his arrival in Otaheite. As we advanced, 

 however, on our voyage, he became more fenfible of his 

 error; and, by the time we reached the Friendly Iflands, 

 had even fuch apprehenfions of his reception at home, that, 

 as 1 have mentioned in my journal, he would fain haveflaid 

 behind at Tongataboo, under Feenou's protection. At thefe 

 iilands, he fquandered away much of his European treafure 

 very unneceflarily ; and he was equally imprudent, as I alfo 

 took notice of above, at Tiaraboo, where he could have no 

 view of making friends, as he had not any intention of re- 

 maining there. At Matavai, he continued the fame incon- 

 ftderate behaviour, till I abfolutely put a flop to his profu- 



P 2 fion ; 



