384 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Cook’s vessels. When the natives first saw 
these, they were astonished at their gigantic size, 
imposing aspect, and the tremendous engines 
on board. These appearances induced them first 
to suppose the ships were islands inhabited by a 
supernatural order of beings, at whose direction 
lightnings flashed, thunders roared, and the 
destroying demon slew, with instantaneous but 
invisible strokes, the most daring and valiant of 
their warriors. But when they afterwards went 
alongside, or ventured on board, and saw that 
they were floating fabrics of timber, borne on the 
surface of the waters, and propelled by the winds 
of heaven, they unanimously declared that the 
prediction of Maui was accomplished, and the 
canoes without outriggers had arrived. They 
were confirmed in this interpretation, when they 
saw the small boats belonging to the ships em¬ 
ployed in passing to and fro between the vessel 
and the shore. These being simple in their struc¬ 
ture, and approaching their own canoes in size, 
yet conveying in perfect safety those by whom 
they were manned, excited their astonishment, 
and confirmed their convictions that Maui was a 
prophet. 
When a boat or a vessel has been sailing in or 
out of the harbour, I have often heard the natives, 
while gazing at the stately motion, exclaim, Te vaa 
a Maui e! Ta vaa ama ore . 44 Oh the canoe 
of Maui! the outriggerless canoe !” They have 
frequently asked us how he could have known such 
a vessel would arrive, since it was at that time 
considered by all besides as an impossibility. We 
have told them it was probable he had observed 
the steadiness with which his umete, or other 
hollow wooden vessel, floated on the water, and 
