i66 A V O Y A G E T O T H E 



c via ^' -^^ ^^^ afternoon we had a frefh gale from the Eaft 

 «— — ^ — -> North Eaft, with frequent fqualls, which prevented any 

 December, canocs coming near us. Towards evening I obferved the 

 ^''"''^'"" natives uncovering and pulling to pieces their new- 

 built houfe on the hill ; and about eight o'clock feveral 

 large houfes were on fire along fhore near the bay ; 

 but as we had no Indians on board, I could not learn 

 whether they were fet on fire by accident or defign, till the 

 Monday is. ncxt moming, v/hen the old prieft and our two paffengers 

 coming on board, I enquired the reafon of the fires we 

 had feen on fhore the preceding evening ; and was given 

 to underftand, that they were Eatooa's, or houfes belong- 

 ing to gods with whom the chiefs were difpleafed ; there- 

 fore out of revenge they had burnt gods and houfes both 

 together. In the forenoon a great number of large and fmall 

 canoes came off and brought us a tolerable fupply of various 

 forts of vegetables and a few hogs. Since our water was com- 

 pleted, having expended feveral cafks, I diredied the natives 

 • to bring us a further fupply, which they very foon did in 

 great abundance. The king alfo, with his retinue, paid 

 me a vifit ; at his firft coming on board he feemed rather 

 fhy, but upon the whole he conducted himfelf nearly in 

 his ufual manner. On my taking notice of the red houfe 

 on the hill he appeared a good deal confufed, and waving 

 that converfation, begun to talk about his two countymen 

 who were going v/ith me to Atoui. He feemed very much 

 intercfted in Paapaaa's welfare; he particularly requefted 

 me to take care of him and treat him well, and if we 

 flopped at Atoui, he begged that I would leave him un- 

 der the care of Taaao, who it feems is brother to Tahee- 

 terre, and a relation of Paapaaa's. The two pallengers 



^ afked 



