fairer, and more handsome; but this may vary according to circumstances.  They were, however, not so troublesome in begging for beads and other presents, nor so forward to bestow their favours on the new comers, though at our landing and putting off, some of the common sort frequently performed an indecent ceremony, which is described in the accounts of former voyages, but without any of the preparatory circumstances which Ooratooa practised.  We had likewise much less reason to extol the hospitality of the inhabitants, their general behaviour being rather more indifferent, and the Taheitian custom of reciprocal presents almost entirely unknown.  On our walks, we were unmolested, (Mr F. relates also the assault of Dr Sparrman) but their conduct was bolder and more unconcerned than that of the Taheitians, and the explosion, as well as the effects of our fowling-pieces, did not strike them with fear and astonishment.  These differences were certainly owing to the various treatment which the people of both islands had met with on the part of Europeans.  There were, however, not wanting instances of hospitality and good-will even here.”—­G.F.

SECTION XIII.

Arrival at, and Departure of the Ships from, Ulietea:  With an Account of what happened there, and of Oedidee, one of the Natives, coming away in the Resolution.

The chief was no sooner gone, than we made sail for Ulietea (where I intended to stop a few days).  Arriving off the harbour of Ohamaneno at the close of the day, we spent the night making short boards.  It was dark, but we were sufficiently guided by the fishers lights on the reefs and shores of the isles.  The next morning, after making a few trips, we gained the entrance of the harbour; and, as the wind blew directly out, I sent a boat to lie in soundings, that we might know when to anchor.  As soon as the signal was made by her, we borrowed close to the south point of the channel; and, with our sails set, shooting within the boat, we anchored in seventeen fathoms water.  We then carried out anchors and hawsers, to warp in by; and, as soon as the Resolution was out of the way, the Adventure came up in like manner, and warped in by the Resolution.  The warping in, and mooring the ships, took up the whole day.

We were no sooner at anchor at the entrance of the harbour, than the natives crowded round us in their canoes with hogs and fruit.  The latter they exchanged for nails and beads; the former we refused as yet, having already as many on board as we could manage.  Several we were, however, obliged to take, as many of the principal people brought off little pigs, pepper, or eavoa-root, and young plantain trees, and handed them into the ship, or put them into the boats along-side, whether we would or no; for if we refused to take them on board, they would throw them into the boats.  In this manner, did these good people welcome us to their country.