220 CAPTAIN COOK 



the manufacture of cloth, in building and in 

 their way of cultivating the ground. In spite of 

 their irresistible tendency to theft, the inhabi- 

 tants of Tongatabu, as well as those of the other 

 Friendly Islands, were as a race amiable, hard- 

 working, intelligent, clean, generous, and ex- 

 tremely sociable. 



Cook had no cause to regret the three months 

 which he passed in this fertile and hospitable 

 archipelago, where, overwhelmed with pro- 

 visions, he could economise those of his ships. 



After a short stay at the island of Middelburg, 

 called Eooa by the natives, which he had already 

 visited during his second voyage. Cook steered 

 for the green spot so dear to his heart, and on 

 August 1 2th he reached for the fourth time 

 Tahiti, the queen of the Pacific. 



