A VOYAGE TO 
1777. A circumftance which I fhall now mention of Otoo, will 
September, q lcw? that thefe people are capable of much addrefs and 
art, to gain their purpofes. Amongft other things, which, 
at different times, I had given to this Chief, was a fpying- 
glafs. After having it in his poffeflion two or three days, 
tired of its novelty, and probably finding it of no ufe to 
him, he carried it privately to Captain Clerke, and told him, 
that, as he had been his very good friend, he had got a pre- 
fent for him, which he knew would be agreeable. “ But, 
fays Otoo, you muff not let Toote know it, becaufe he wants 
it, and I would not let him have it.” He then put the glafs 
into Captain Clerke’s hands; at the fame time, affuring him, 
that he came honeftly by it. Captain Clerke, at firft, de¬ 
clined accepting it; but Otoo infilled upon it, and left it 
with him. Some days after, he put Captain Clerke in mind 
of the glafs ; who, though he did not want it, was yet de- 
flrous of obliging Otoo; and thinking, that a few axes 
would be of more ufe at this illand, produced four to give 
him in return. Otoo no fooner faw this, than he laid, 
“ Toote offered me five for it.” 66 Well, fays Captain 
Clerke, if that be the cafe, your friendfhip for me fhall 
not make you a lofer, and you fhall have fix axes.” Thefe 
he accepted; but defired again, that I might not be told 
what he had done. 
Our friend Omai got one good thing, at this ifland, for 
the many good things he gave away. This was a very fine 
double failing canoe, completely equipped, and fit for the 
fea. Some time before, I had made up for him, a fuit of 
Englifh colours; but he thought thefe too valuable to be 
ufed at this time; and patched up a parcel of colours, fuch 
as flags and pendants, to the number of ten or a dozen, 
which he fpread on different parts of his veffel, all at the 
fame 
