122 OTAHITE TO OHETEROA CHAP, vi 



consists of nothing more than pitching a kind of light lance, 

 headed with hard wood, at a mark. Of this amusement they 

 seem to be very fond, but none that we then saw excelled 

 in doing it, not above one in twelve striking the mark, 

 which was the bole of a plantain tree about twenty yards 

 distant. 



5th. Went in the boat to the southward with the captain, 

 etc. ; saw two inlets in the reef, and good harbours within 

 them. They were both situate close to islands, having one on 

 each side of them ; indeed, in general, I have seen breaches 

 in reefs wherever there are islands upon them. The people 

 along shore were very poor, so much so that after all our 

 day's work we did not procure either hog or fowl, nor, indeed, 

 did we see either. 



Qtk. Yesterday Opoony, the king of Bola-Bola, sent his 

 compliments and a present of hogs and fowls to the king of 

 the ship, sending word also that he would in person wait 

 upon him to-day. We therefore all stayed at home in hopes 

 of the honour of his Excellency's visit. We were disappointed 

 in our expectations, but not disagreeably, for instead of his 

 Majesty came three handsome, lively girls, who stayed with 

 us the morning, and took off all regret for the want of his 

 Majesty's company. 



In the evening we all went to see the great king, and 

 thank him for his civilities. The king of the Tata-toas, or 

 clubmen, who have conquered this island, and are the terror 

 of all others, we expected to see young, lively, handsome, 

 etc. etc., but were disappointed when we were led to an old, 

 decrepit, half-blind man, who seemed to have scarce reason 

 enough left to send hogs, much less gallantry enough to send 

 ladies. 



*lth. We learned from Opoony yesterday that his chief 

 residence was atOtahah: to this place he proposed to accompany 

 us to-day. Captain Cook and Dr. Solander went upon the 

 expedition, while I stayed at home. They proceeded with 

 Opoony and all his train, and many canoes, to a bay in Otahah 

 called Obooto-booto, his Majesty's chief residence. Here the 

 houses were very large and good, and the canoes also finer 



