A VOYAGE TO 
1778. him, for they could not manage their canoes; it being a ne- 
ceffary mark of their fubmiffion, that they fhould lie down 
till he had paffed. His attendants helped him into the' 
fhip, and placed him on the gang-way. Their care of him 
did not ceafe then; for they flood round him, holding each 
other by the hands; nor would they fuffer any one to come 
near him but Captain Clerke himfelf. He was a young 
man, clothed from head to foot; and accompanied by a 
young woman, fuppofed to be his wife. His name was faid 
to beTamahano. Captain Clerke made him fome fuitable 
prefents ; and received from him, in return, a large bowl, 
fupported by two figures of men, the carving of which, 
both as to the defign and the execution, fhewed fome de¬ 
gree of fkill. This bowl, as our people were told, ufed to 
be filled with the kava , or ava (as it is called at Otaheite), 
which liquor they prepare and drink here, as at the other 
iilands in this ocean. Captain Clerke could not prevail 
upon this great man to go below, nor to move from the 
place where his attendants had firfl: fixed him. After flay¬ 
ing fome time in the fhip, he was carried again into his 
canoe, and returned to the illand, receiving the fame ho¬ 
nours from all the natives, as when he came on board. 
The next day, feveral meffages were fent to Captain Clerke, 
inviting him to return the vifit afhore, and acquainting 
him, that the Chief had prepared a large prefent on that 
oecafion. But being anxious to get to fea, and join the Re- 
folution, the Captain did not think it advifeable to accept 
of the invitation. 
The very fhort and imperfedt intercourfe which we had 
with the natives, put it out of our power to form any ac¬ 
curate judgment of the mode of government eftablifhed 
amongfl them ; but, from the general refemblance of cuf- 
toms, 
