180 PROCESSION OF TAHAITIANS. 
lowed him with the various articles necessary 
to the convenience of the Royal visitors. He 
immediately ordered that the whole floor should 
be covered with matting, and had every thing 
placed as he thought proper, leaping about all 
the while with both feet in the air, as if his life 
depended on the velocity of his motions. No 
one of the servants pleased him ; his tongue ran 
incessantly ; and his sword was flourished about 
in all directions. 
His preparations were not yet complete, 
when we saw a long procession of Tahaitians 
approach, two and two, bearing on their shoul- 
ders various kinds of provisions fastened on 
bamboo poles. This set our caperer upon in- 
creased activity. Two ocr three springs having 
carried him out of the house, he commanded 
the bearers to set down their burdens, which 
were presents from the Queen to me, in a cer- 
tain order, in front of my dwelling. Three large 
pigs formed the right flank; and opposite to 
them were piled potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, 
and all kinds of delicious fruit. When the 
Master of the Ceremonies had arranged them all 
to his satisfaction, he turned, for the first time, 
