THIRD VOYAGE 251 



directly to Tongataboo, importuned me strongly to alter 

 this plan, to which he expressed as much aversion as if 

 he had some particular interest to promote by diverting 

 me from it. In preference to it, he warmly recommended 

 an island, or rather a group of islands, called Hapaee, 

 lying to the north-east. There, he assured us, we could 

 be supplied plentifully with every refreshment in the 

 easiest manner ; and, to add weight to his advice, he 

 engaged to attend us thither in person. He carried his 

 point with me, and Hapaee was made choice of for our 

 next station. As it had never been visited by any 

 European ships, the examination of it became an object 

 with me. 



" After some unimportant transactions, at day-break 

 in the morning of the 16th, we steered north-east for 

 Hapaee, which was now in sight. Next day we came 

 to anchor. By this time the ships were filled with the 

 natives. They brought from the shore hogs, fowls, fruit, 

 and roots, which they exchanged for hatchets, knives, 

 nails, beads, and cloth. I went on shore, accompanied 

 by Omai and Feenou, landing at the north part of Lesooga, 

 a little to the right of the ship's station. 



" The chief conducted me to a hut, situated close to 

 the sea-beach, which I had seen brought thither, but a 

 few minutes before, for our reception. In this Feenou, 

 Omai, and myself were seated. The other chiefs and the 

 multitude composed a circle on the outside fronting us, 

 and they also sat down. I was then asked how long I 

 intended to stay ? On my saying five days, Taipa was 

 ordered to come and sit by me, and proclaim this to the 

 people. He then harangued them, in a speech mostly 

 dictated by Feenou. The purport of it, as I learned from 

 Omai, was, that they were all, both old and young, to 

 look upon me as a friend, who intended to remain with 

 them a few days ; that during my stay they must not 

 steal anything, nor molest me in any other way; and 

 that it was expected they should bring hogs, fowls, fruit, 

 etc., to the ships, where they would receive, in exchange 

 for them, such and such things, which he enumerated. 

 Taipa then took occasion to signify to me that it was 

 necessary I should make a present to the chief of the 

 island, whose name was Earoupa. I was not unprepared 

 for this, and gave him such articles as far exceeded his 

 expectation. My liberality to him brought upon me 

 demands of the same kind from two chiefs of other isles 

 who were present, and from Taipa himself. 



" After viewing the watering-place, we returned to our 

 former station, where I found a baked hog and some yams, 



