THIRD VOYAGE 253 



belonged, celebrated the glory he had acquired in two 

 or three huzzas. 



" This entertainment was now and then suspended for 

 a few minutes. During these intervals there were both 

 wrestling and boxing matches. The first were performed 

 in the same manner as at Otaheite, and the second differed 

 very little from the method practised in England. But 

 what struck u^s with the most surprise was to see a couple 

 of lusty wenches step forth, and begin boxing without 

 the least ceremony, and with as much art as the men. 

 This contest, however, did not last above half a minute, 

 before one of them gave it up. The conquering heroine 

 received the same applause from the spectators, which 

 they bestowed upon the successful combatants of the other 

 sex. We expressed some dislike at this part of the enter- 

 tainment, which, however, did not prevent two other 

 females from entering the lists. They seemed to be girls 

 of spirit, and would certainly have given each other a 

 good drubbing if two old women had not interposed to 

 part them. All these combats were exhibited in the 

 midst of at least three thousand people, and were con- 

 ducted with the greatest good humour on all sides. 



" As soon as these diversions were ended, the chief told 

 me that the heaps of provisions on our right hand were 

 a present to Omai, and that those on our left hand, being 

 about two-thirds of the whole quantity, were given to 

 me. He added that I might take them on board whenever 

 it was convenient, but that there would be no occasion 

 to set any of our people as guards over them, as I might 

 be assured that not a single cocoanut would be taken 

 away by the natives. So it proved ; for I left every- 

 thing behind, and returned to the ship to dinner, carrying 

 the chief with me ; and when the provisions were removed 

 on board in the afternoon, not a single article was missing. 

 There was as much as loaded four boats, and I could 

 not but be struck with the munificence of Feenou, for 

 this present far exceeded any I had ever received from 

 any of the sovereigns of the various islands I had visited 

 in the Pacific Ocean. I lost no time in convincing our 

 friend that I was not insensible of his liberality, for, 

 before he quitted my ship, I bestowed upon him such of 

 my commodities as, I guessed, were most valuable in his 

 estimation. 



" Feenou had expressed a desire to see the marines go 

 through the military exercise. As I was desirous to gratify 

 his curiosity, I ordered them all ashore, from both ships, 

 in the morning. After they had performed various evolu- 

 tions, and fired several volleys, with which the numerous 



