THE PELEW ISLANDS. 
67 
immediately to them, and delire them to make no fhew 
of being alarmed, but to keep upon their guard until they 
Ihould find what the meaning of this might be, adding, 
that he would come to them as foon as he could do it 
without being noticed; he requelled Mr. Sharp to lit down 
by the King’s fon, and enter into fome converfation with 
him, by ligns, whilft he went himfelf to their tent, where 
he found the people under arms; after a little delibera¬ 
tion on what this noife might mean, it was thought bell 
to difcover no appearance of unealinefs, but to remain quiet, 
in the tent, with arms ready by them, and that he would 
return to the natives, and wait the event; when he was 
foon relieved from every anxiety, by finding that they were 
only tuning their voices, in order to begin a fong; which, 
as foon as they had in their manner properly pitched, Raa 
Kook gave out a line, or Have, which was taken up by 
another Rupack, feated at a little dillance, who fang a 
verfe, accompanied by the reft of the natives prefent, ex¬ 
cept himfelf and the Prince. The laft line they fung twice 
over, which was taken up by the natives in the next 
tent, in chorus ; Raa Kook then gave out another line, 
which was fung in the fame manner; and this continued 
for ten or twelve verfes. They talked at times between 
the verfes, as if fetting fome of the lingers right who had 
not been properly in tune. Their fong ended, they re- 
quefted to hear fome Englijh fongs, which was readily com- 
K 2 plied 
1783. 
AUGUST. 
