T H E P A C I F I G O C E A N. 543 



feparate fentcnces, in a melancholy tone. After this, a pro- yj^- 

 found filcnce enfucd, for a little time, and then a man, who <— -v^ — •* 

 fat in the front of the area, began an oration (or prayer), 

 during which, at feveral different times, he went and broke 

 one of the poles, which had been brought in by thofe who 

 had walked in proceffion. When he had ended, the people, 

 fitting before the flied, feparated, to make a lane, through 

 which the prince and his attendants pafled, and the affembly 

 broke up. 



Some of our party, fatisfied with what they had already 

 feen, now returned to tiie fliips ; but I, and two or three 

 more of the officers, remained at Mooa, to fee the conclu- 

 fion of the folcmnity, which was not to be till the next day; 

 being defirous of omitting no opportunity, which might 

 afford any information about the religious or the political 

 ir^ftitutions of this people. The fmall (licks or poles, which 

 had been brought into the area, by thofe who walked in 

 proceffion, being left lying on the ground, after the crowd 

 had difperfed, I went and examined them. I found, that to 

 the middle of each, two or three fmall (licks were tied, as 

 has been related. Yet we had been repeatedly told by the 

 natives, who flood near us, that they were young yams; 

 infomuch that fome of our gentlemen believed them, ra- 

 ther than their own eyes. As I had the demonftration of 

 my fenfes to fatisfy me, that they were not real yams, it is 

 clear, that we ought to have underflood them, that they 

 were only the artificial reprefentations of thefe roots. 



Our fa pper was got ready about feven o'clock. It con- 

 fifted of fifh and yams. We might have had pork alfo ; but 

 we did not choofe to kill a large hog, which the king had 

 given to us for that purpofe. He fupped with us, and drank 

 pretty freely of brandy and water; fo that he went to bed 



witli 



