256 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



We observed large spots covered with the paper mulberry- 

 trees ; and the plantations in general were well stocked 

 with such roots and fruits as are the natural produce of 

 the island. To these I made some addition, by sowing 

 the seeds of Indian corn, melons, pumpkins, and the like. 



" The island is not above seven miles long, and in some 

 places not above two or three broad. The east side of it, 

 which is exposed to the trade wind, has a reef, running to 

 a considerable breadth from it, on which the sea breaks 

 with great violence. 



" When I returned from my excursion into the country, 

 I found a large sailing canoe fast to the ship's stern. In this 

 canoe was Latooliboula, whom I had seen at Tongataboo, 

 during my last voyage, and who was then supposed by us 

 to be the king of that island. He sat in the canoe with all 

 that gravity by which he was so remarkably distinguished 

 at that time ; nor could I, by any entreaties, prevail upon 

 him now to come into the ship. Many of the islanders 

 were present, and they all called him Arekee, which signifies 

 king. I had never heard any one of them give this title to 

 Feenou, however extensive his authority over them, both 

 here and at Annamooka, had appeared to be, which had all 

 along inclined me to suspect that he was not the king ; 

 though his friend Taipa had taken pains to make me believe 

 he was. Feenou was on board my ship at the same time, 

 but neither of these great men took the least notice of each 

 other. 



" In the morning of the 23rd, as we were going to unmoor, 

 in order to leave the island, Feenou, and his prime minister 

 Taipa, came alongside in a sailing canoe, and informed me 

 that they were setting out for Vavaoo, an island, which they 

 said, lies about two days' sail to the northward of Hapaee. 

 The object of then- voyage, they would have me believe, 

 was to get for me an additional supply of hogs, and some 

 red-feathered caps for Omai to carry to Otaheite, where they 

 are in high esteem. Feenou assured me that he should be 

 back in four or five days ; and desired me not to sail till 

 his return, when he promised me he would accompany 

 me to Tongataboo. I thought this a goodtopportunity to 

 get some knowledge of Vavaoo, and proposed to him to go 

 thither with the ships, but he seemed not to approve of the 

 plan ; and by way of diverting me from it, told me that 

 there was neither harbour nor anchorage about it. I 

 therefore consented to wait in my present station for his 

 return, and he immediately set out. 



" In my walk, on the 25th, I happened to step into a 

 house, where I found a woman shaving a child's head with 

 a shark's tooth stuck into the end of a piece of stick. I 



