58 TAHITI AND EI MEO. 



spirits to his men, and was aware of the fact that the practice of 

 vending it was contrary to law, endeavoured to discover the parties 

 engaged in this traffic. He did this not only for the sake of his own 

 crew, who, when questioned, stated that their intoxication was pro- 

 duced by gin, bought at the rate of three dollars a bottle, but to aid 

 the natives in their exertions to prevent the infraction of their laws 

 by the white residents. In pursuance of these objects, he called a 

 meeting of the chiefs, and stated his complaint. They forthwith 

 ordered search to be made for the offenders by the police, by which 

 some of them were discovered and immediately fined. At the 

 examination, however, the chiefs stated to Captain Hudson, with 

 what truth I do not pretend to say, that seventy cases of gin had been 

 landed by our own consul, from whom they believed that the retailers 

 had obtained it, while the main stock being upon his premises, under 

 the United States' flag, was protected from search. 



The repairs of the Flying-Fish were not completed before the 10th 

 October, up to which time the Peacock was detained, not only in 

 order that they might sail in company, but because her officers were 

 still engaged in the survey of the harbours. In the interval of leisure 

 which was thus afforded them, the crew of the Peacock asked and 

 obtained permission to get up a theatrical entertainment, for the 

 amusement of the natives and themselves. The Council House was 

 placed at their disposal for the piupose by the native authorities. The 

 plav chosen was Schiller's " Robbers," the parts of which had been 

 rehearsed at sea, in the afternoons — a task which had been the source 

 of much amusement. An opportunity was now presented of getting 

 it up well : the dresses having been prepared, the day was appointed, 

 and when it arrived the piece was performed ; the acting was thought 

 by the officers very tolerable, and finally gave great delight to the 

 natives. The latter, however, were somewhat disappointed in the 

 early parts of the performance, for they had expected an exhibition of 

 juggling, such as had been given for their entertainment on board of 

 a French frigate. While under this feeling, they were heard to say 

 there was too much parau (talk). After they began to enter into the 

 spirit of the performance, the murders took their fancy, and they 

 were diverted with the male representatives of the female characters. 



A number of comic songs, which formed the relief of the more 

 serious play, were exceedingly applauded ; among others they laughed 

 heartily at " Jim Crow" sung in character, and could not be per- 

 suaded that it was a fictitious character. 



