Saturday 8.

Our plants had now increased to 252:  as they were all kept on shore at the tent I augmented the guard there, though from the general conduct of the natives there did not appear the least occasion for so much caution.

While I was at dinner Tinah desired I would permit a man to come down into the cabin whom he called his Taowah or priest; for I was obliged to keep a sentinel at the hatchway to prevent being incommoded at my meals with too much company; a restriction which pleased the chiefs who always asked leave for any particular person to be admitted of whom they wished me to take notice.  The company of the priest brought on a religious conversation.  He said their great God was called Oro; and that they had many others of less consequence.  He asked me if I had a God? if he had a son? and who was his wife?  I told them he had a son but no wife.  Who was his father and mother? was the next question.  I said he never had father or mother; at this they laughed exceedingly.  You have a God then who never had a father or mother and has a child without a wife!  Many other questions were asked which my little knowledge of the language did not enable me to answer.

The weather was now fine again and a great number of people were come from other parts of the island.  Tinah informed me that there was to be a heiva and a wrestling-match on shore, and that the performers waited for our attendance; we therefore set off with several of our friends and, about a quarter of a mile from the tents, we found a great concourse of people formed into a ring.  As soon as we were seated a dancing heiva began, which was performed by two girls and four men:  this lasted half an hour and consisted of wanton gestures and motions such as have been described in the account of former voyages.  When the dance ended Tinah ordered a long piece of cloth to be brought; his wife Iddeah and myself were desired to hold the two first corners and, the remaining part being supported by many others, we carried it to the performers and gave it them.  Several other chiefs made a like present or payment.  The performers were strollers that travelled about the country as in Europe.

After this the wrestling began and the place soon became a scene of riot and confusion.  A party of the Arreoys also began to exercise a privilege, which it seems they are allowed, of taking from the women such of their clothes as they thought worth it; so that some of them were left little better than naked.  One young woman who was attacked opposed them with all her strength and held fast her cloth, though they almost dragged her along the ground.  Observing that I took notice of her she held out her hand and begged my assistance; and at my request she escaped being pillaged.