246 
A VOYAGE TO 
1777. This entertainment was, now and then, fufpended for a 
»_ few minutes. During thefe intervals there were both 
wreftling and boxing matches. The fir ft were performed 
in the fame manner as at Otaheite; and the fecond differed 
very little from the method pracftifed in England. But 
what ftruck us with moft furprize, was, to fee a couple of 
lufty wenches ftep forth, and begin boxing, without the 
leaft ceremony, and with as much art as the men. This 
conteft, however, did not laft above half a minute, before 
one of them gave it up. The conquering heroine received 
the fame applaufe from the fpeftators, which they bellow¬ 
ed upon the fuccelsful combatants of the other fex. We 
expreffed fome diflike at this part of the entertainment; 
which, however, did not prevent two other females from 
entering the lifts. They feemed to be girls of fpirit, and 
would certainly have given each other a good drubbing, 
if two old women had not interpofed to part them. All 
thefe combats were exhibited in the midft of, at leaft, three 
thoufand people; and were conducted with the greateft 
good humour on all tides; though fome of the champions, 
women as well as men, received blows, which, doubtlefs, 
they muft have felt for fome time after. 
As foon as thefe diverfions were ended, the Chief told 
me, that the heaps of provisions, on our right-hand, were 
a prefent to Omai; and that thofe, on our left-hand, being 
about two-thirds of the whole quantity, were given to me. 
He added, that I might take them on board whenever it 
was convenient; but that there would be no occafion to 
fet any of our people as guards over them, as I might be 
affured, that not a tingle cocoa-nut would be taken away 
by the natives. So it proved; for I left every thing be¬ 
hind, and returned to the Chip to dinner, carrying the 
Chief 
