TAHITI 55 



changed for cloth, beads, nails and above all 

 axes, for which the Tahitians showed a special 

 predilection. Often the chiefs presented food. 

 One day one of them offered Cook an edible 

 dog. After some hesitation the beast was roasted 

 and everyone partook of it. Cook compared the 

 flesh to that of English lamb. 



The English were invited to several native 

 entertainments. Tootahah got up a concert for 

 them, at which four musicians played upon two- 

 holed flutes, into which they blew, not with their 

 mouths, but with their nostrils. Four singers 

 joined their voices to the sound of these instru- 

 ments, and Cook, who apparently was not a 

 music lover, recorded in his Journal that he 

 was delighted — ^when the concert came to an end. 



Tootahah also invited the strangers to a mimic 

 battle, varied by dances and choruses. The 

 islanders did not, In these exercises, reveal them- 

 selves as remarkable athletes, but in other cir- 

 cumstances they proved that they were marvel- 

 lous swimmers. 



Several Tahitians of note went on board the 

 Endeavour, where a woman of great distinction, 

 Obeara, who was queen of the island at the time 

 of Captain Wallis' visit, was also entertained. 

 In the course of these visits peaceful rituals took 

 place, and the usual marks of friendship were 

 exchanged. 



