for Otoo.  Presently after we were met by Towha, who received me with great courtesy.  He took me by the one hand, and Tee by the other; and, without my knowing where they intended to carry me, dragged me, as it were, through the crowd that was divided into two parties, both of which professed themselves my friends, by crying out Tiyo no Tootee.  One party wanted me to go to Otoo, and the other to remain with Towha.  Coming to the visual place of audience, a mat was spread for me to sit down upon, and Tee left me to go and bring the king.  Towha was unwilling I should sit down, partly insisting on my going with him; but, as I knew nothing of this chief, I refused to comply.  Presently Tee returned, and wanted to conduct me to the king, taking hold of my hand for that purpose.  This Towha opposed; so that, between the one party and the other, I was like to have been torn in pieces; and was obliged to desire Tee to desist, and to leave me to the admiral and his party, who conducted me down to the fleet.  As soon as we came before the admiral’s vessel, we found two lines of armed men drawn up before her, to keep off the crowd, as I supposed, and to clear the way for me to go in.  But, as I was determined not to go, I made the water, which was between me and her, an excuse.  This did not answer; for a man immediately squatted himself down at my feet, offering to carry me; and then I declared I would not go.  That very moment Towha quitted me, without my seeing which way he went, nor would any one inform me.  Turning myself round I saw Tee, who, I believe, had never lost sight of me.  Enquiring of him for the king, he told me he was gone into the country Mataou, and advised me to go to my boat; which we accordingly did, as soon as we could get collected together; for Mr Edgcumbe was the only person that could keep with me, the others being jostled about in the crowd, in the same manner we had been.

When we got into our boat, we took our time to view this grand fleet.  The vessels of war consisted of an hundred and sixty large double canoes, very well equipped, manned, and armed.  But I am not sure that they had their full complement of men or rowers; I rather think not.  The chiefs, and all those on the fighting stages, were dressed in their war habits; that is, in a vast quantity of cloth, turbans, breast-plates, and helmets.  Some of the latter were of such a length as greatly to encumber the wearer.  Indeed, their whole dress seemed to be ill calculated for the day of battle, and to be designed more for shew than use.  Be this as it may, it certainly added grandeur to the prospect, as they were so complaisant as to shew themselves to the best advantage.  The vessels were decorated with flags, streamers, &c.; so that the whole made a grand and noble appearance, such as we had never seen before in this sea, and what no one would have expected.  Their instruments of war were clubs, spears, and stones.  The vessels were ranged close along-side of each other with their heads ashore, and