Some of our party, satisfied with what they had already seen, now returned to the ships; but I, and two or three more of the officers, remained at Mooa to see the conclusion of the solemnity, which was not to be till the next day, being desirous of omitting no opportunity, which might afford any information about the religious or the political institutions of this people.  The small sticks or poles, which had been brought into the area by those who walked in procession, being left lying on the ground, after the crowd had dispersed, I went and examined them.  I found, that to the middle of each, two or three small sticks were tied, as has been related.  Yet we had been repeatedly told by the natives, who stood near us, that they were young yams, insomuch that some of our gentlemen believed them, rather than their own eyes.  As I had the demonstration of my senses to satisfy me, that they were not real yams, it is clear, that we ought to have understood them, that they were only the artificial representations of these roots.

Our supper was got ready about seven o’clock.  It consisted of fish and yams.  We might have had pork also, but we did not choose to kill a large hog, which the king had given to us for that purpose.  He supped with us, and drank pretty freely of brandy and water, so that he went to bed with a sufficient dose.  We passed the night in the same house with him and several of his attendants.

About one or two o’clock in the morning they waked, and conversed for about an hour, and then went to sleep again.  All, but Poulaho himself, rose at day-break, and went, I know not whither.  Soon after a woman, one of those who generally attended upon the chief, came in, and enquired where he was.  I pointed him out to her, and she immediately sat down by him, and began the same operation, which Mr Anderson had seen practised upon Futtafaihe, tapping of beating gently, with her clinched fists, on his thighs.  This, instead of prolonging his sleep, as was intended, had the contrary effect; however, though he awaked, he continued to lie down.

Omai and I now went to visit the prince, who had parted from us early in the evening.  For he did not lodge with the king, but in apartments of his own, or at least such as had been allotted to him at some distance from his father’s house.  We found him with a circle of boys or youths about his own age, sitting before him, and an old woman and an old man, who seemed to have the care of him, sitting behind.  There were others, both men and women, employed about their necessary affairs in different departments, who probably belonged to his household.