1779. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 11 



tend and protect the waterers, and the other working 

 parties that were to be on shore. As we were view- 

 ing a spot conveniently situated for this purpose, in 

 the middle of the village, Pareea, who was always 

 ready to show both his power and his good-will, 

 offered to pull down some houses that would have 

 obstructed our observations. However, we thought 

 it proper to decline this offer, and fixed on a field of 

 sweet potatoes adjoining to the Moral, which was 

 readily granted us ; and the priests, to prevent the 

 intrusion of the natives, immediately consecrated the 

 place, by fixing their wands round the wall by which 

 it was inclosed. 



This sort of religious interdiction they call taboo ; 

 a word we heard often repeated during our stay 

 amongst these islanders, and found to be of very 

 powerful and extensive operation. A more par- 

 ticular explanation of it will be given in the general 

 account of these islands, under the article of religion ; 

 at present it is only necessary to observe, that it pro- 

 cured us even more privacy than we desired. No 

 canoes ever presumed to land near us ; the natives 

 sat on the wall, but none offered to come within the 

 tabooed space, till he had obtained our permission. 

 But though the men, at our request, would come 

 across the field with provisions, yet not all our en- 

 deavours could prevail on the women to approach 

 us. Presents were tried, but without effect ; Pareea 

 and Koah were tempted to bring them, but in vain ; 

 we were invariably answered, that the Eatooa and 

 Terreeoboo (which was the name of their king) 

 would kill them. This circumstance afforded no 

 small matter of amusement to our friends on board, 

 where the crowds of people, and particularly of 

 women, that continued to flock thither, obliged them 

 almost every hour to clear the vessel, in order to 

 have room to do the necessary duties of the ship. 

 On these occasions, two or three hundred women 



