THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
161 
to truft a thing in one’s hand for examination, hut exult if 
they think they have tricked you in the bargain. 
Such condudt, however, is, in fome meafure, to be ex¬ 
pected where there appears to be but little Subordination, 
and consequently few, if any, laws, to punifh tranfgref- 
lions. For no man’s authority feems to extend farther 
than his own family; and when, at any time, they join for 
mutual defence, or any other purpofe, thofe amongft them 
who are eminent for courage or prudence, are directors. 
How their private quarrels are terminated is uncertain; 
but, in the few we faw, which were of little confequence, 
the parties concerned were clamorous and diforderly. 
Their public contentions are frequent, or rather perpe¬ 
tual ; for it appears, from their number of weapons, and 
dexterity in uling them, that war is their principal pro- 
feflion. Thefe weapons are fpears, patoos and halberts, or 
fometimes hones. The firft are made of hard wood point¬ 
ed, of different lengths, from five, to twenty, or even thirty 
feet long. The fhort ones are ufed for throwing as darts. 
The pa too or emeete is of an elliptical fhape, about eighteen 
inches long, with a handle made of wood, ftone, the bone 
of fome fea animal, or green jafper, and feems to be their 
principal dependence in battle. The halbert, or long club, 
is about five or fix feet long, tapering at one end with a 
carved head, and at the other, broad or flat, with fharp 
edges. 
Before they begin the onfet, they join in a war-fong, to 
which they all keep the exa6teft time, and foon raife their 
paffion to a degree of frantic fury, attended with the moft 
horrid distortion of their eyes, mouths, and tongues, to 
Strike terror into their enemies ; which, to thofe who have 
not been accuflomed to fuch a practice, makes them ap- 
V° L * I. y pear 
1777 * 
February. 
