T H E P A C I F I C O C E A N. 26^- 



good deal from thofe of the bulk of his people. I found '777- 

 him to be a fedate, fenfible man. He viewed the fhip, and 

 the feveral new obje(5ls, with uncommon attention; and 

 afl^ed many pertinent queftions ; one of which was. What 

 could induce us to vifit thefe iflands ? After he had fatisfied 

 his curiofity in looking at the cattle, and other novelties 

 which he met with upon deck, I defired him to walk down 

 into the cabin. To this, fome of his attendants objeded, 

 faying, that, if he were to accept of that invitation, it muft 

 happen, that people would walk over his head ; which could 

 not be permitted. I directed my interpreter Omai, to tell 

 them, that I would obviate their objeflion, by giving orders, 

 that no one fhould prefume to walk upon that part of the 

 deck which was over the cabin. Whether this expedient 

 would have fatisfied them, was far from appearing ; but the 

 Chief himfelf, lefs fcrupulous, in this refpedl, than his at- 

 tendants, waved all ceremony, and walked down without 

 any ftipulation. He now appeared to be as folicitous him- 

 felf, as his people were, to convince us that he was king, 

 and not Feenou, who had pafled with us as fuch. For he 

 foon perceived, that we had fome doubt? about it ; which 

 doubts Omai was not very defirous of removing. The 

 clofeft conne<ftion had been formed between him and Fee- 

 nou, in tellimony of which, they had exchanged names ; 

 and, therefore, he was not a little chagrined, that another 

 perfon now put in his claim to the honours which his 

 friend had hitherto enjoyed. 



Poulaho fat down with us to dinner; but he eat little, and 

 drank lefs. When we rofe from the table, he defired me to 

 accompany him afhore. Omai was aflced to be of the party ; 

 but he was too faithfully attached to Feenou, to fhew any 

 attention to his competitor; and, therefore, excufed him- 



Vol. I. Mm felf. 



