4 A VOYAGE TO JAN. 



another village of a more considerable size, called 

 Kakooa : between them, runs a high rocky cliff, in- 

 accessible from the sea shore. On the south side, 

 the coast, for about a mile inland, has a rugged ap- 

 pearance; beyond which the country rises with a 

 gradual ascent, and is overspread with cultivated in- 

 closures and groves of cocoa-nut trees, where the 

 habitations of the natives are scattered in great num- 

 bers. The shore, all around the bay, is covered with 

 a black coral rock, which makes the landing very 

 dangerous in rough weather; except at the village of 

 Kakooa, where there is a fine sandy beach, with a 

 Moral, or burying-place, at one extremity, and a 

 small well of fresh water at the other. This bay ap- 

 pearing to Captain Cook a proper place to refit the 

 ships, and lay in an additional supply of water and 

 provisions, we moored on the north side, about a 

 quarter of a mile from the shore, Kowrowa bearing 

 north-west. 



As soon as the inhabitants perceived our intention 

 of anchoring in the bay, they came off from the shore 

 in astonishing numbers, and expressed their joy by 

 singing and shouting, and exhibiting a variety of wild 

 and extravagant gestures. The sides, the decks, and 

 rigging of both ships were soon completely covered 

 with them ; and a multitude of women and boys, who 

 had not been able to get canoes, came swimming 

 round us in shoals; many of whom, not finding room 

 on board, remained the whole day playing in the 

 water. 



Among the chiefs who came on board the Resolu- 

 tion, was a young man, called Pareea, whom we soon 

 perceived to be a person of great authority. On pre- 

 senting himself to Captain Cook, he told him, that he 

 was Jakanee * to the king of the island, who was at 

 that time engaged on a military expedition at Mowee, 



* We afterward met with several others of the same denomina- 

 tion ; but whether it be an office, or some degree of affinity, we 

 could never learn with certainty. 



