how well he had taken care of the whole. When
they had made an end of putting into the boat the
things just mentioned, our guide, who still remained
with us, desired us to decorate the young plaintain
trees with looking-glasses, nails, medals, beads,
&c. &c. This being accordingly done, we landed
with these in our hands, and were conducted towards
the chief, through the multitude; they making a lane,
as it were, for us to pass through. We were made
to sit down a few paces short of the chief, and our
plantains were then taken from us, and, one by one,
laid before him, as the others had been laid before
us. One was for
Eatoua (or God), the second
for the
Earee (or king), and the third for
Tiyo
(or friendship). This being done, I wanted to
go to the king, but was told that he would come to
me; which he accordingly did, fell upon my neck, and
embraced me. This was by no means ceremonious;
the tears which trickled plentifully down his venerable
old cheeks, sufficiently bespoke the language of his
heart. The whole ceremony being over, all his
friends were introduced to us, to whom we made presents.
Mine to the chief consisted of the most valuable articles
I had; for I regarded this man as a father. In
return he gave me a hog, and a quantity of cloth, promising
that all our wants should be supplied; and it will
soon appear how well he kept his word. At length
we took leave, and returned on board; and, some time
after, Mr Pickersgill returned also with fourteen
hogs. Many more were got by exchanges on shore,
and along-side the ships; besides fowls and fruit in
abundance.
This good old chief made me a visit early in the morning
on the 5th, together with some of his friends, bringing
me a hog and some fruit, for which I made him a suitable
return. He carried his kindness so far, as not
to fail to send me every day, for my table, the very
best of ready dressed fruit and roots, and in great
plenty. Lieutenant Pickersgill being again sent
with the two boats, in search of hogs, returned in
the evening with twenty-eight; and about four times
that number were purchased on shore, and along-side
the ships.
Next morning the trading party, consisting of only
two or three people, were sent on shore as usual;
and, after breakfast, I went to the place myself,
when I learnt that one of the inhabitants had been
very troublesome and insolent. This man being
pointed out to me, completely equipped in the war
habit, with a club in each hand, as he seemed bent
on mischief, I took these from him, broke them before
his eyes, and, with some difficulty, forced him to
retire from the place. As they told me that he
was a chief, this made me the more suspicious of him,
and occasioned me to send for a guard, which till
now I had thought unnecessary. About this time,
Mr Sparrman, having imprudently gone out alone botanizing,
was set upon by two men, who stripped him of every
thing he had about him, except his trowsers, and struck