ryS VOYAGE IN SEARCH 



of their difpofition; when they were again af- 

 fembled, we heard them every moment break- 

 ing out into loud burfts of laughter. Their 

 government feemed to us, as it did to Captain 

 Cook, to have a great affinity to the feudal 

 fyftem. 



Several natives requefted to embark with us 

 in order to go with us to France. Captain 

 Huon agreed to give a paflage on board the 

 Efperance, to Kovee, one of the Queen's fons. 

 This chief intending to prove to us that he was 

 adluated only by the pleafure of accompanying 

 us, would not receive any of the prefents which 

 we offered him. The Admiral whom he came 

 to fee reprefented to him the principal incon- 

 veniences attending long voyages ; but he Hill 

 perfifted in his refolution, and went on board 

 of the Efperance: however, juft as he was fitting 

 down to dinner, feveral of the inhabitants came 

 and perfuaded him to go on fliore, at leaff once 

 more, to fee his family before he undertook fo 

 long a voyage. He yielded to their folicitations 

 and returned no more on board. Sonie of the 

 natives informed us that he had not been able 

 to refill the tears and entreaties of nine wives 

 and a great number of children whom he was 

 going to abandon, never perhaps to fee them 

 again. He had now promifcd not to quit them. 

 Konci; had a fine countenance, but he had not the 

 2 gaiety 



