<Z<2 A VOYAGE TO JAN. 



the 27th in the morning, to undergo a thorough re- 

 pair. At the same time, the carpenters were sent 

 into the country, under conduct of some of Kaoo's 

 people, to cut planks for the head rail work, which 

 was also entirely decayed and rotten. 



On the 28th, Captain Clerke, whose ill health con- 

 fined him, for the most part, on board, paid Terreeo- 

 boo his first visit, at his hut on shore. He was re- 

 ceived with the same formalities as were observed 

 with Captain Cook ; and, on his coming away, 

 though the visit was quite unexpected, he received 

 a present of thirty large hogs, and as much fruit 

 and roots as his crew could consume in a week. 



As we had not yet seen any thing of their sports 

 or athletic exercises, the natives, at the request of 

 some of our officers, entertained us this evening 

 with a boxing-match. Though these games were 

 much inferior, as well in point of solemnity and 

 magnificence, as in the skill and powers of the com- 

 batants, to what we had seen exhibited at the Friend- 

 ly Islands ; yet, as they differed in some particulars, 

 it may not be improper to give a short account of 

 them. We found a vast concourse of people as- 

 sembled on a level spot of ground, at a little distance 

 from our tents. A long space was left vacant in 

 the midst of them, at the upper end of which sat 

 the judges, under three standards, from which hung 

 slips of cloth of various colours, the skins of two 

 wild geese, a few small birds, and bunches of feathers. 

 When the sports were ready to begin, the signal was 

 given by the judges, and immediately two combat- 

 ants appeared. They came forward slowly, lifting 

 up their feet very high behind, and drawing their 

 hands along the soles. As they approached, they 

 frequently eyed each other from head to foot, in a 

 contemptuous manner, casting several arch looks at 

 the spectators, straining their muscles, and using 

 a variety of affected gestures. Being advanced 

 within reach of each other, they stood with both 



