T H E P A C I F I C O C E A N. i6i 



to truft a thins in one's hand for examination, but exult if ^'777. 



*-> _ _ Febiuary. 



they think they have tricked you in the bargain. 



Such conduct:, however, is, in fome meafure, to be ex- 

 pc(5led where there appears to be but little fubordination, 

 and confequently few, if any, laws, to punifli tranfgreffions. 

 For no man's authority feems to extend farther than his 

 own family ; and when, at any time, they join for mutual 

 defence, or any other purpofc, thofe amongfl them who 

 are eminent for courage or prudence, are direclors. How 

 their private quarrels are terminated is uncertain ; but, iri 

 the few we faw, which were of little confequence, the 

 parties concerned were clamorous and diforderly. 



Their public contentions are frequent, or rather perpetual; 

 for it appears, from their number of weapons, and dexterity 

 in ufmg them, that war is their principal profeffion. Thefe 

 weapons are fpears, patoos and halberts, or fometimes 

 ftoncs. The firft are made of hard wood pointed, of differ- 

 ent lengths, from five, to twenty, or even thirty feet long. 

 The fliort ones are ufed for throwing as darts. The patoo or 

 emeete is of an elliptical fhape, about eighteen inches long, 

 with a handle made of wood, ftone, the bone of fome fea 

 animal, or green jafper, and feems to be their principal 

 dependence in battle. The halbert, or long club, is about 

 five or fix feet long, tapering at one end with a carved head, 

 and at the other, broad or flat, with fliarp edges. 



Before they begin the onfet, they join in a war-fong, to 

 which they all keep the exadefl time, and foon raife their 

 paflion to a degree of frantic fury, attended with the moll 

 horrid diilortion of their eyes, mouths, and tongues, to 

 ftrike terror into their enemies ; which, to thofe who have 

 not been accuftoraed to fuch a pradiice, makes them ap- 



VoL. I. Y pear 



