Otaheite; but their cloth was inferior. Their language was nearly the same, and their persons were tattooed in a similar way.—The chief presented Capt. Cook with a hog; and many other hogs were purchased on that day and the following, with abundance of fruits and fowls. After this, the seamen were again permitted to traffic for curiosities; but various thefts and frauds were committed by the natives. In one instance, a thief was fired at, but not hurt.
On wednesday, October 6th, Capt. Cook and his friends were introduced to the Areeke, or King, of the island; who sat before them with sullen and stupid gravity, neither answering their addresses, nor returning their salutes, nor noticing the presents given him. He sent on board, however, a quantity of excellent provisions, ready dressed, for the Areeke of the ship. On paying him a farewell visit next day, they found him in the same stupid posture, motionless as a statue, and seemingly unconscious of their attentions, their presents, and other objects around him. A friendly leave was taken of the old chief, and afterwards of Attago; who begged that Capt. Cook would return, and bring him, among other things, a suit of clothes like his own uniform.
In heaving the coasting cable of the Resolution, it parted in the middle, being chafed by the sharp coral rocks; so that the anchor was lost, and half the cable. The supplies procured here, amounted to 150 hogs, 300 fowls, a few yams, and abundant supplies of bananas and cocoa-nuts.
The natives of these islands appeared to be well made and healthy. The females were generally modest, but lively and merry. Some cases of
