called them back, and harangued them for near half an hour.  His speech consisted of short sentences, very little of which I understood; but, from what we could gather, he recapitulated part of what I had said to Otoo; named several advantages they had received from us; condemned their present conduct, and recommended a different one for the future.  The gracefulness of his action, and the attention with which he was heard, bespoke him a great orator.

Otoo said not one word.  As soon as Towha had ended his speech, I ordered the marines to go through their exercise, and to load and fire in vollies with ball; and as they were very quick in their manoeuvres, it is easier to conceive than to describe the amazement the natives were under the whole time, especially those who had not seen any thing of the kind before.

This being over, the chiefs took leave, and retired with all their attendants, scarcely more pleased than frightened at what they had seen.  In the evening Mr Forster and his party returned from the mountains, where he had spent the night; having found some new plants, and some others which grew in New Zealand.  He saw Huaheine, which lies forty leagues to the westward; by which a judgment may be formed of the height of the mountains in Otaheite.

Next morning I had an opportunity to see the people of ten war-canoes go through part of their paddling exercise.  They had put off from the shore before I was apprised of it; so that I was only present at their landing.  They were properly equipped for war, the warriors with their arms, and dressed in their war habits, &c.  In landing, I observed that the moment the canoe touched the ground, all the rowers leaped out, and with the assistance of a few people on the shore, dragged the canoe on dry land to her proper place; which being done, every one walked off with his paddle, &c.  All this was executed with such expedition, that in five minutes time after putting ashore, you could not tell that any thing of the kind had been going forward.  I thought these vessels were thinly manned with rowers; the most being not above thirty, and the least sixteen or eighteen.  I observed the warriors on the stage encouraged the rowers to exert themselves.  Some youths sat high up in the curved stern, above the steersmen, with white wands in their hands.  I know not what they were placed there for, unless it was to look out and direct, or give notice of what they saw, as they were elevated above every one else.  Tarevatoo, the king’s brother, gave me the first notice of these canoes being at sea; and knowing that Mr Hodges made drawings of every thing curious, desired of his own accord that he might be sent for.  I being at this time on shore with Tarevatoo, Mr Hodges was therefore with me, and had an opportunity to collect some materials for a large drawing or picture of the fleet assembled at Oparree, which conveys a far better idea of it than can be expressed by words.  Being present when