$ 9 6 AN ACCOUNT OF 
our people were there, after the fecond engagement at 
Art ingall.— Thefe marks of honour were conferred 
folely by the King, in the manner already defcribed, when 
Captain Wilson was inverted with the higheji Order of 
the Bone *.—The principal Rupacks generally attended the 
King, and were always ready at his command, to accom- 
4 
pany him on any expedition, with a number of canoes, 
properly manned, and armed with darts and fpears, -who 
were to remain with him till they had his permiflion to 
return home with their dependants.—Though in this part 
of their government we trace an outline of the feudal fyf- 
tem, yet, from the very few opportunities our people could 
have of inveftigating points of internal government, it 
appeared to them that the titles of Rupacks were perfo- 
nal badges of rank and diftindfion, nor did they appre¬ 
hend they were hereditary honours, unlefs in the reign¬ 
ing family, who muft of necertity be of this clafs ; there¬ 
fore, as to the extent of the power or privileges of the 
Rupacks , I conceive it far better to leave thefe matters to 
future difcoveries (fliould any hereafter be made) than to 
obtrude opinions on a fubjedt that might turn out to be 
fallacious.—Thus much feemed certain, that all thofe of 
the firft order were fummoned to Abba Thulle’s councils, 
* The form of the Bone of the higheji Order is figured in plate IV. fig. 3. Our 
people never knew what animal this was a bone of; but, by fubmitting the infpe&ion of 
it to the beft authority in this country, it is fuppofed to be part of the bone of a whale, 
©r fome animal of that fpecies. 
paid 
