280 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



By an inscription, I found it was erected by some Spaniards 

 that had been lately there in two ships from Lima. 



" When I returned, I found Omai holding forth to a large 

 company, and it was with some difficulty that he could be 

 got away to accompany me on board, where I had an im- 

 portant affair to settle, in regard to the stated allowance 

 of spirituous liquors ; and I had the satisfaction to find that 

 the crews of both ships unanimously consented to an abridg- 

 ment in the usual quantity while at this place, that they 

 might not be under the necessity of being put to a short 

 allowance in a cold climate. 



" The next day we began some necessary operations. I 

 also put on shore the bull, cows, horses, and sheep, and 

 appointed two men to look after them while grazing ; for I 

 did not intend to leave any of them at this part of the 

 island. 



" During the two following days it hardly ever ceased 

 raining. The natives, nevertheless, came to us from every 

 quarter, the news of our arrival having rapidly spread. On 

 the 17th, Omai and I went ashore to pay a formal visit to a 

 young chief named Waheiadooa, who had come down to the 

 beach. On this occasion Omai, assisted by some of his 

 friends, dressed himself, not after the English fashion, nor 

 that of Otaheite, nor that of Tongataboo, nor in the dress 

 of any country upon earth, but in a strange medley of all 

 that he was possessed of. 



" On our landing, Etary, or the god of Bolabola, carried 

 on a handbarrow, attended us to a large house, where he 

 was set down, and we seated ourselves on each side of him. 

 I caused a piece of Tongataboo cloth to be spread out 

 before us, on which I laid the presents I intended to make. 

 Presently the young chief came, attended by his mother 

 and several principal men, who all seated themselves at 

 the other end of the cloth facing us. Then a man who 

 sat by me made a speech, consisting of short and separate 

 sentences, part of which was dictated by those about him. 

 He was answered by one from the opposite side near the 

 chief. Etary spoke next, then Omai, and both of them 

 were answered from the same quarter. These orations were 

 entirely about my arrival and connections with them. The 

 person who spoke last told me, amongst other things, that 

 he was authorized to make a formal surrender of the pro- 

 vince of Tiaraboo to me, and of everything in it, which 

 marks very plainly that these people are no strangers to the 

 policy of accommodating themselves to present circum- 

 stances. At length the young chief was directed by his 

 attendants to come and embrace me, and by way of con- 

 firming this treaty of friendship we exchanged names. The 



