242 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



reason for being afraid ; for he had observed, that they 

 had dug a hole in the ground for an oven, which they 

 were now heating ; and he could assign no other reason 

 for this, than that they meant to roast and eat us, as is 

 practised by the inhabitants of New Zealand. 



" ' In this manner we were detained the greatest part 

 of the day, being sometimes together and sometimes 

 separated, but always in a crowd ; who, not satisfied 

 with gazing at us, frequently desired us to uncover parts 

 of our skin ; the sight of which commonly produced a 

 general murmur of admiration. 



" ' Upon our urging the business we came upon, they 

 gave us to understand, that we must stay and eat with 

 them ; and a pig which we saw, soon after lying near the 

 oven, which they had prepared and heated, removed 

 Omai's apprehensions of being put into it himself ; and 

 made us think it might be intended for our repast. A 

 piece of the young hog that had been dressed was set, 

 before us, of which we were desired to eat. Our appetites, 

 however, had failed, from the fatigue of the day ; and 

 though we did eat a little to please them, it was without 

 satisfaction to ourselves. 



" ' It being now near sunset, we told them it was time to 

 go on board. This they allowed ; and sent down to the 

 beach the remainder of the victuals that had been dressed, 

 to be carried with us to the ships. They put us on board 

 our boats, with the cocoa-nuts, plantains, and other 

 provisions, which they had brought ; and we rowed to 

 the ships, very well pleased that we had at last got out 

 of the hands of our troublesome masters. 



" ' We regretted much that our restrained situation 

 gave us so little opportunity of making observations on 

 the country. For, during the whole day, we were seldom 

 a hundred yards from the place where we were introduced 

 to the chiefs on landing ; and, consequently, were confined 

 to the surrounding objects. The first thing that presented 

 itself, worthy of our notice, was the number of people, 

 which must have been, at least, two thousand. In general, 

 they had their hair tied on the crown of the head, long, 

 black, and of a most luxuriant growth. Many of the 

 young men were perfect models in shape, of a complexion 

 as delicate as that of the women, and, to appearance, of 

 a disposition as amiable. 



' The wife of one of the chiefs appeared with her 

 child, laid in a piece of red cloth, which had been presented 

 to her husband ; and seemed to carry it with great tender- 

 ness, suckling it much after the manner of our women. 

 Another chief introduced his daughter, who was young 



