THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 



tliem were twelve images ranged in a femicircular form, an;l '779- 



before the middle figure, flood a high Hand or table, exactly 1 ,-—! 



refembling the JVhatta* of Otaheite, on which lay a putrid 

 hog, and under it pieces of fugar-cane, cocoa-nuts, bread- 

 fruit, plantains, and fweet potatoes. Koah having placed 

 the Captain under this ftand, took down the hog, and held 

 it toward him ; and after having a fecond time addrefled 

 him in a long fpecch, pronounced with much vehemence 

 and rapidity, he let it fall on the ground, and led him to 

 the fcaffolding, which they began to climb together, not 

 without great rifle of falling. At this time we faw, coming, 

 in folemn proceffion, at the entrance of the top of the Moral, 

 ten men carrying a live hog, and a large piece of red cloth. 

 Being advanced a few paces, they flopped, and proflrated 

 themfelves ; and Kaireekeea, the young man above-men- 

 tioned, went to them, and receiving the cloth, carried it 

 to Koah, who wrapped it round the Captain, and afterward 

 offered him the hog, which was brought by Kaireekeea with, 

 the fame ceremony. 



Whilft Captain Cook was aloft, in this auk ward fituation, . 

 fwathed round with red cloth, and with difficulty keeping, 

 his hold amongd the pieces of rotten fcaffolding, Kaireekeea - 

 and Koah began their office, chanting fometimes in concert, 

 and fometimes alternately. This laded a confiderable time ; 

 at length KOah let the hog drop, when he and the Captain . 

 defcended together. He then led him to the images before 

 mentioned, and having laid fomething to each in a fneer- 

 ing tone, fnapping his fingers at them as he palled, he 

 brought him to that in the center, which, from its being 



* See Captain Cook's foimer Voyage. 



covered 1 



