a 6 AVOYAGETO 



«77 '• image, I have mentioned before, which he carried into one 

 of the prieft's houfes. 



Terreeoboo, and his Chiefs, had, for fome days pad, been 

 very inquifuivc about the time of our departure. This cir- 

 cumflance had excited in me a great curiofity to know, what 

 opinion rhis people had formed of us, and what were their 

 ideas refpecting the caufe and objects of our voyage. I took 

 fome pains to fatisfy myfelf on thefc points ; but could 

 never learn any thing farther, than that they imagined we 

 came from fome country where provifions had failed ; and 

 that our vifit to them. was merely for the purpofe of filling 

 our bellies. Indeed, the meagre appearance of fome of our 

 crew, the hearty appetites with which we fat down to their 

 frefh provifions, and our great anxiety to purchafe, and carry 

 off", as much as we were able, led them, naturally enough, 

 to fuch a conclufion. To thefe may be added, a circum- 

 flance which puzzled them exceedingly, our having no wo- 

 men with us •, together with our quiet con duel:, and unwar- 

 like appearance. It was ridiculous enough to fee them, 

 ftroking the fides, and patting the bellies, of the failors 

 (who were certainly much improved in the flceknefs of 

 their looks, during our fhon (lay in the iiland), and telling 

 them, partly by figns, and partly by words, that it was time 

 for them to go; but if they would come again the next 

 bread-fruit feafon, they fhould be better able to fupply their 

 wants. We had now been fixtcen days in the bay; and it 

 our enormous confumption of hogs and vegetables be con- 

 fidered, it need not be wondered, that they lhould willi ta 

 : us take our leave. It is very probable, however, than 

 Terreeoboo had no other view, in his inquiries, at prefent, 

 than a delire of making fuflicicnt preparation for difmiiling 



us 



