190 VANCOUVER S VISIT. 



fortunate star of these islands. Among the in 

 numerable benefits he conferred upon them, they 

 are indebted to him for the possession of sheep 

 and cattle. Tameamea declared these animals 

 under a Tabu for ten years, which allowed 

 time for so large an increase, that they now 

 run wild in the forests. Had Vancouver en 

 joyed Cook s advantages, the islanders might 

 still have believed him their Rono. 



Tameamea, during Vancouver s visit, swayed 

 the sceptre only over the islands of O Wahi and 

 Muwe, and was engaged in wars with his neigh 

 bour kings, whom he fought with the assist 

 ance of cannon purchased from European ships. 

 He commanded in every battle, both by sea and 

 land ; and Karemaku, as first in authority under 

 him, was his constant companion. The O Wa- 

 hians, however, could not have well understood 

 the use of their cannons and other fire-arms, as, 

 after Vancouver s departure, the war was main 

 tained for ten years. O Tuai, the most north 

 westerly island, even then held out, though the 

 others had submitted. In the year 1817, Ta 

 meamea conquered this also, after many unsuc- 



