122 OTAHITE TO OHETEROA CHAP. VI 
consists of nothing more than pitching a kind of light lance, 
headed with hard wood, at amark. 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. 
6th. 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. 
7th. We learned from Opoony yesterday that his chief 
residence was at Otahah: to this place he proposed toaccompany 
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 
