168 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



him great satisfaction. Thus ended all their differences. 



As the most essential repairs of the ship were nearly 

 finished, it was resolved to leave Otaheite in a few days ; 

 Captain Cook accordingly ordered everything to be got 

 off from the shore, that the natives might see they were 

 about to depart. 



On the 12th, old Oberea, the woman who, when the 

 Dolphin was here in 1767, was thought to be queen of the 

 island, and whom they had not seen since 1769, paid them 

 a visit, and brought a present of hogs and fruit. Soon after, 

 came Otoo with great retinue, and a large quantity of 

 provisions. The Captain was pretty liberal in his returns, 

 thinking it might be the last time he should see these good 

 people, who had so liberally relieved their wants ; and, in 

 the evening, entertained them with fireworks. 



On the 14th, they saw a number of war canoes coming 

 round the point of Oparree. Being desirous of having a 

 nearer view of them, accompanied by many officers and 

 gentlemen, they hastened down to Oparree, which they 

 reached before all the canoes were landed, and had an 

 opportunity of seeing in what manner they approached the 

 shore. When they got before the place where they intended 

 to land, they formed themselves into divisions, and then 

 each division, one after the other, paddled in for the shore 

 with all their might, in the most exact and regular manner. 

 All their motions were observed with such quickness as 

 clearly shewed them to be expert in their business. Otoo, 

 who was present, caused some of their troops to go through 

 their exercise on shore. Two parties first fcegan with clubs, 

 but this was over almost as soon as begun ; so that they 

 had no time to make observations. They then went 

 to single combat, and exhibited the various methods of 

 fighting with great alertness ; parrying off the blows and 

 pushes, which each combatant aimed at the other, with great 

 dexterity. Then- arms were clubs and spears ; the latter 

 they also use as darts. In fighting with the club, all blows 

 intended to be given the legs, were evaded by leaping over 

 it ; and those intended for the head, by couching a little, 

 and leaping on one side ; thus the blow would fall to the 

 ground. 



Their treatment at this isle was such as had induced one 

 of the gunner's mates to form a plan to remain at it ; but he 

 was discovered before he could effect his purpose. He was 

 an Irishman by birth, and had sailed in the Dutch service. 

 The Captain picked him up at Batavia on his return from 

 his former voyage, and he had been with him ever since. 

 He never learnt that he had either friends or connections, 

 to confine him to any particular part of the world. All 



