THIRD VOYAGE 373 



canoe was filled with hogs and various sorts of vegetables. 

 As they went along, the priests in the centre canoe sung 

 their hymns with great solemnity ; and, after paddling 

 round the ships, instead of going on board as we expected, 

 they made toward the shore at the beach where we were 

 stationed. 



" As soon as I saw them approaching, I ordered out our 

 little guard to receive the king ; and Captain Cook per- 

 ceiving that he was going on shore, followed him, and 

 arrived nearly at the same time. We conducted them into 

 the tent, where jthey had scarcely been seated when the 

 king rose up, and in a very graceful manner threw over the 

 captain's shoulders the cloak he himself wore, put a 

 feathered helmet upon his head, and a curious fan into his 

 hand. He also spread at his feet five or six other cloaks, all 

 exceedingly beautiful, and of the greatest value. His 

 attendants then brought four very large hogs, with sugar- 

 canes, cocoa-nuts, and bread-fruit ; and this part of the 

 ceremony was concluded by the king's exchanging names 

 with Captain Cook, which, amongst all the islanders of the 

 Pacific Ocean, is esteemed the strongest pledge of friendship. 

 A procession of priests with a venerable old personage at 

 their head, now appeared, followed by a long train of men 

 leading large hogs, and others carrying plantains, sweet 

 potatoes, etc. By the looks and gestures of Kaireekeea, I 

 immediately knew the old man to be the chief of the priests 

 on whose bounty we had so long subsisted. He had a piece 

 of red cloth in his hands which he wrapped round Captain 

 Cook's shoulders, and afterward presented him with a 

 small pig in the usual form. 



" As soon as the formalities of the meeting were over, 

 Captain Cook carried Terreeoljoo, and as many chiefs as the 

 pinnace could hold, on board the Resolution. They were 

 received with every mark of respect that could be shewn 

 them ; and Captain Cook in return for the feathered cloak, 

 put a linen shirt on the king, and girt his own hanger round 

 him. The ancient Kaoo, and about half a dozen more old 

 chiefs remained on shore, and took up their abode at the 

 priests' houses. During all this time not a canoe was seen 

 in the bay, and the natives either kept within their huts, or 

 lay prostrate on the ground. 



" The quiet and inoffensive behaviour of the natives 

 having taken away every apprehension of danger, we did 

 not hesitate to trust ourselves amongst them at all times, 

 and in all situations. The officers of both ships went daily 

 up the country in small parties, or even singly, and fre- 

 quently remained out the whole night. It would be endless 

 to recount all the instances of kindness and civility which 



