316 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



as upon the cloaks, though rather closer and less diversified. 

 These probably complete the dress with the cloaks, for the 

 natives sometimes appeared in both together.* 



" We were at a loss to guess whence they could get such a 

 quantity of these beautiful feathers, but were soon in- 

 formed, for they afterwards brought great numbers of 

 skins of small red birds for sale. 



" Next day one of our visitors, who offered some fish- 

 hooks for sale, was observed to have a very small parcel tied 

 to the string of one of them, which he separated with great 

 care and reserved for himself when he parted with the 

 hook. Being asked what it was, he pointed to his belly. 

 It struck us that it might be human flesh. The question 

 being put to him, he answered that the flesh was part of a 

 man. Another of his countrymen who stood by him, was 

 then asked whether it was their custom to eat those killed in 

 battle, and he immediately answered in the affirmative. 



" After leaving Atooi, as this island was named, we pro- 

 ceeded to Oneeheow, on the coast of which we anchored. 



" Six or seven canoes had come off to us before we 

 anchored, bringing some small pigs and potatoes, and a good 

 many yams and mats. The people in them resembled those 

 of Atooi, and seemed to be equally well acquainted with the 

 use of iron, which they asked for also by the name of 

 hamaite and toe, parting readily with all their commodities 

 for pieces of this precious metal. 



" These visitors furnished us with an opportunity of agi- 

 tating again the curious inquiry whether they were canni- 

 bals. One of the islanders, who wanted to get in at the 

 gun-room port was refused, and at the same time asked 

 whether, if he should come in, we would kill and eat him ? 

 This gave a proper opening to retort the question as to this 

 practice ; and a person behind the other in the canoe, who 

 paid great attention to what was passing, immediately 

 answered that if we were killed on shore they would cer- 

 tainly eat us ; but that their eating us would be the con- 

 sequence of our being at enmity with them. I cannot see 

 the least reason to hesitate in pronouncing it to be certain 

 that the horrid banquet of human flesh is as much relished 

 here amidst plenty as it is in New Zealand. 



" On the 30th, I sent Mr. Gore ashore with a guard of 

 marines, and a party to trade with the natives for refresh- 

 ments. The weather soon became very unpropitious, and 

 the sea ran so high that we had no manner of communication 

 with our party on shore, and even the natives themselves 



* These may all be seen in the Ethnographical department of the 

 British Museum in as good a state of preservation as on the day they 

 were obtained. 



