Soon after a ring was again made but the wrestlers were so numerous within it that it was impossible to restore order.  In the challenges they lay one hand upon their breast and, on the bending of the arm at the elbow, with the other hand they strike a very smart blow which, as the hand is kept hollow, creates a sound that may be heard at a considerable distance; and this they do so frequently and with such force that the flesh becomes exceedingly bruised and, the skin breaking, bleeds considerably.  At this time the sound from so many resembled that of a number of people in a wood felling trees.  This is the general challenge; but when any two combatants agree to a trial they present their hands forward, joining them only by the extremities of the fingers.  They begin by watching to take an advantage; at length they close, seize each other by the hair and are most commonly parted before either receives a fall.  Only one couple performed anything like the part of good wrestlers; and as they were an equal match this conflict lasted longer than any of the others; but they also were parted.

Iddeah was the general umpire and she managed with so much address as to prevent any quarrelling, and there was no murmuring at her decisions.  As her person was large she was very conspicuous in the circle.  Tinah took no part in the management.  Upon the whole this performance gave me a better opinion of their strength than of their skill or dexterity.

Tuesday 11.

For some time past Tinah had talked of going to the island of Tethuroa which lies eight or ten leagues north from Otaheite to fetch his mother; but I found I had only half understood him; for this morning he enquired when we were to sail there in the ship:  however he seemed to feel no great disappointment at my not complying with his wish.  Tethuroa he informed me is the property of his family.  He likewise spoke to me about an island called Rooopow, the situation of which he described to be to the eastward of Otaheite four or five days sail, and that there were large animals upon it with eight legs.  The truth of this account he very strenuously insisted upon and wished me to go thither with him.  I was at a loss to know whether or not Tinah himself gave credit to this whimsical and fabulous account; for though they have credulity sufficient to believe anything, however improbable, they are at the same time so much addicted to that species of wit which we call humbug that it is frequently difficult to discover whether they are in jest or earnest.  Their ideas of geography are very simple:  they believe the world to be a fixed plane of great extent; and that the sun, moon, and stars are all in motion round it.  I have been frequently asked by them if I have not been as far as the sun and moon; for they think we are such great travellers that scarce any undertaking is beyond our ability.