A VOYAGE TO 
58 
1777 * 
September. 
< V—— J 
Saturday 20. 
Sunday 21. 
hitherto done for ns. The next day, all the royal family 
came with prefents; fo that our wants were not only re¬ 
lieved, but we had more provilions than we could confume. 
Having got all our water on board, the (hips being caulk¬ 
ed, the rigging overhauled, and every thing put in order, I 
began to think of leaving the illand, that I might have fuf- 
ficient time to fpare for viflting the others in this neigh¬ 
bourhood. With this view, we removed from the fhore our 
obfervatories and inftruments, and bent the fails. Early 
the next morning, Otoo came on board to acquaint me, that 
all the war canoes of Matavai, and of three other diflrifts 
adjoining, were going to Oparre, to join thofe belonging to 
that part of the illand; and that there would be a general 
review there. Soon after, the fquadron of Matavai was all 
in motion; and, after parading awhile about the bay, af- 
fembled alhore, near the middle of it. I now went in my 
boat to take a view of them. 
Of thofe with llages, on which they fight, or what they 
call their war canoes, there were about lixty; with near as 
many more of a fmaller fize. I was ready to have attended 
them to Oparre; but, foon after, a refolution was taken by 
the Chiefs, that they Ihould not move till the next day. I 
looked upon this to be a fortunate delay, as it afforded me a 
good opportunity to get fome inlight into their manner of 
lighting. With this view, I expreffed my wilh to Otoo, that 
he would order fome of them to go through the neceffary 
manoeuvres. Two were, accordingly, ordered out into the 
bay; in one of which, Otoo, Mr. King, and myfelf embarked; 
and Omai went on board the other. When we had got fuf- 
ficient fea-room, we faced, and advanced upon each other, 
and retreated by turns, as quick as our rowers could paddle. 
During this, the warriors on the ffages fkrarifhed their 
3 weapons, 
