:^46 A V O Y A G E T O 



1777- This entertainment was, now and then, fufpendcd for a few 



May. . 



r — '■ minutes. During thefe intervals there were both wrcftling 



and boxing matches. The firfl: were performed in the fame 



manner as at Otaheite ; and the fecond differed very little 



from the method pra(5tifed in England. But what ftruck us 



with moft furprife, was, to fee a couple of lufty wenches 



flep forth, and begin boxing, without the leaft ceremony, 



and \vith as much art as the men. This contefl, however, 



did not laft above half a minute, before one of them gave 



it up. The conquering heroine received the fame applaufe 



from the fpedlators, which they beftov/ed upon the fuccefs- 



ful combatants of the other fex. We expreffed fome dif- 



like at this part of the entertainment ; which, however, did 



not prevent two other females from entering the lifts. They 



feemed to be girls of fpirit, and would certainly have given 



each other a good drubbing, if two old women had not in- 



terpofed to part them. All thefe combats, were exhibited in 



the midft of, at leaft, three thoufand people ; and were 



condu6led with the greateft good humour on all fides ; 



though fome of the champions, women as well as men, 



received blows, which, doubtlefs, they muft have felt for 



fome time after. 



As foon as thefe diverfions were ended, the Chief told me, 

 that the heaps of provifions, on our right-hand, were a pre- 

 fent to Omai ; and that thofe, on our left-hand, being about 

 two-tliirds of the whole quantity, were given to me. He 

 added, that I miglit take them on board whenever it was 

 convenient; but that there would be no occafion to fet any 

 of our people as guards over them, as I might be affured, 

 that not a fingle cocoa-nut would be taken away by the 

 natives. So it proved ; for I left every thing behind, and 

 returned to the fliip to dinner, carrying the Chief with me; 



and 



