88 OTAHITE CHAP, v 



lieutenant of course could not do less than confine him, to 

 the infinite dissatisfaction of the Indians. This we heard 

 from them two miles before we reached the tents. On our 

 return Tubourai, Tamio, and every Indian that we let in, 

 joined in lamenting over Dootahah with many tears. I 

 arrived about a quarter of an hour before the captain, during 

 which time this scene lasted. As soon as he came he 

 ordered him to be instantly set at liberty, which done he 

 walked off sulkily enough, though at his departure he 

 presented us with a pig. 



3rd. No kind of provisions brought to market to-day. 



5th. At breakfast - time two messengers came from 

 Dootahah to remind the captain of his promise [given yester- 

 day] to visit him ; accordingly the boat set out, carrying the 

 captain, Dr. Solander, and myself. We arrived in about an 

 hour, JZparre, his residence, being about four miles from the 

 tents. An immense throng of people met us on the shore, 

 crowding us very much, though they were severely beaten for 

 so doing by a tall good-looking man, who laid about him most 

 unmercifully with a long stick, striking all who did not get 

 out of his way without intermission, till he had cleared for 

 us a path to Dootahah, who was seated under a tree, attended 

 by a few grave-looking old men. With him we sat down, 

 and made our presents, consisting of an axe and a gown of 

 broadcloth made after their fashion, and trimmed with 

 tape ; with these he seemed mightily satisfied. Soon after 

 this Oborea [the queen] joined us, and with her I retired to 

 an adjacent house where I could be free from the suffocating 

 heat, occasioned by so large a crowd of people as was 

 gathered about us. Here was prepared for our diversion an 

 entertainment quite new to us, a wrestling match, at which 

 the other gentlemen soon joined us. A large courtyard 

 railed round with bamboo about three feet high was the 

 scene of the diversion ; at one end of this Dootahah was 

 seated, and near him were seats for us, but we rather chose 

 to range at large among the spectators, than confine our- 

 selves to any particular spot. 



The diversion began by the combatants, some of them 



