THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
59 
weapons, and played a hundred antic tricks, which could 1777. 
anfwer no other end, in my judgment, than to work up , September ; 
their paflions, and prepare them for fighting. Otoo ftood 
by the fide of our fiage, and gave the neceflary orders, when 
to advance, and when to retreat. In this, great judgment 
and a quick eye, combined together, feemed requifite, to 
feize every advantage that might offer, and to avoid giving 
any advantage to the adverfary. At laft, after advancing 
and retreating to and from each other, at leaft a dozen of 
times, the two canoes clofed, head to head, or fiage to fiage; 
and, after a Ihort conflict, the troops on our fiage were 
fuppofed to be all killed, and we were boarded by Omai and 
his affociates. At that very inftant, Otoo, and all our pad- 
dlers leaped over-board, as if reduced to the neceflity of 
endeavouring to fave their lives by fwimming. 
If Omai’s information is to be depended upon, their naval 
engagements are not always conducted in this manner. He 
told me, that they fometimes begin with lafhing the two 
vefiels together, head to head, and then fight till all the 
warriors are killed, on one fide or the other. But this clofe 
combat, I apprehend, is never pradtifed, but when they are 
determined to conquer or die. Indeed, one or the other 
muft happen; for all agree, that they never give quarter, 
unlefs it be to referve their prifoners for a more cruel death 
the next day. 
The power and ftrength of thefe iflands lie entirely in 
their navies. I never heard of a general engagement on 
land; and all their decifive battles are fought on the water. 
If the time and place of conflidt are fixed upon by both 
parties, the preceding day and night are fpent in diverfions 
and feafting. Toward morning, they launch the canoes, 
put every thing in order, and, with the day, begin the 
I 2 battle; 
