^ 



THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 97 



They were not able to difcover to what nation it belonged ; J779- 

 but from the pale colour * of the iron, and its not corre- 

 fponding in fhape to our bolts, they concluded that it cer- 

 tainly was not Engliih. This led them to make a flrict in- 

 quiry of the native, when and where he got it ; and if they 

 comprehended him right, it had been taken out of a 

 piece of timber, larger than the cable bit, to which he 

 pointed. This piece of wood, they farther underftood 

 from him to have been driven upon their ifland, fince wc 

 were here in January 1778. 



On the 7th, we were furprized with a vifit from Toneo- Sunday 

 neo. When he heard the dowager princefs was in the ihip, 

 it was with great difficulty we could prevail on him to come 

 on board, not from any apprehenfion that he appeared to 

 entertain of his fafety, but from an unwillingnefs to fee 

 her. Their meeting was with fulky and lowering looks 

 on both fides. He ftaid but a fhort time, and feemed much 

 dejecled ; but we remarked, with fome furprize, that the 

 women, both at his coming and going away, proftrated 

 themfelves before him ; and that he was treated by all the 

 natives on board with the refpeet ufually paid to thofe of his 

 rank. Indeed, it mud appear fomewhat extraordinary, that 

 a perfon, who was at this time in a ftate of actual hoftility 

 with Teavee's party, and was even prepared for another 

 battle, fhould truft himfelf almoft alone within the power 

 of his enemies. It is, therefore, to be obferved, that the 

 civil diflentions, which are very frequent throughout all the 

 South Sea Iflands, feem to be carried on without much acri- 

 mony or bloodfhed ; and that the depofed governor ftill 

 continues to enjoy the rank of an Erec^ and is left to make 



* It was evident, that the iron we found in pofleflion of the natives at Nootka 

 Sound, and which was moftly made into knives, was of a much paler fort than ours. 



Vol. III. O ufe 



