THE PACIFIC O C E A N. 



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T79- 



was left vacant in the midit of them, at the upper end of January, 

 which fat the judges, under three ftandards, from which 

 hung flips of cloth of various colours, the fkins of two 

 wild geeCe, a few fmall birds, and bunches of feathers. 

 When the fports were ready to begin, the fignal was given 

 by the judges, and immediately two combatants appeared. 

 They came forward flowly, lifting up their feet very high 

 behind, and drawing their hands along the foles. As they 

 approached, they frequently eyed each other from head to 

 foot, in a contemptuous manner, calling fevcral arch looks 

 at the fpectators, draining their mufcies, and uling a va- 

 riety of affected geftures. Being advanced within reach of 

 each other, they flood with both arms held out (traight be- 

 fore their faces, at which part all their blows were aimed, 

 They ftruck, in what appeared to our eyes an awkward 

 manner, with a full fwing of the arm ; made no attempt 

 to parry, but eluded their adversary's attack by an incli- 

 nation of the body, or by retreating. The battle was quickly 

 decided ; for if either of them was knocked down, or even 

 fell by accident, he was confidered as vanquished, and the 

 victor exprefTed his triumph by a variety of geftures, which 

 ufually excited, as was intended, a loud laugh among the 

 fpectators. He then waited for a fecond antagonift ; and if 

 again victorious, for a third, till he was, at lafl, in his turn 

 defeated. A fingular rule obferved in theie combats is, 

 that whilft any two are preparing to fight, a third perfon 

 may Hep in, and choofe either of them for his antagonift, 

 when the other is obliged to withdraw. Sometimes three or 

 four followed each other in this manner, before the match 

 was fettled. When the combat proved longer than ufual, 

 or appeared too unequal, one of the chiefs generally ftepped 

 in, and ended it by putting a flick between the combatants. 



The 



