suing another that fled. While these amusements or ceremonies were going on, Lieutenant Gore and Omai came forward, and were introduced successively to the three chiefs, to each of whom Mr. Gore gave a present. After this, he informed them of the object of his landing, Omai acting as his interpreter: the answer was, that he must wait until next day, and then he should be supplied.
But delay was not the only inconvenience to which the gentlemen had to submit. They were jostled about among the crowd, who were eager to gratify their curiosity in examining persons so new and strange to them, and contrived to separate them, so that each might have a cluster round him, and a greater number have an opportunity of viewing such wonderful beings more closely. Not content with surveying them minutely, the natives. stole several articles out of their pockets, or from their persons one of them snatched a small bayonet from Lieut. Gore's side, and Omai lost a dagger which he brought with him. Of these thefts, complaints were made to the chiefs, but no redress was obtained. The officers tried to get away to the beach, but were not permitted; so that they began to be afraid that they should be detained all night. Omai's fears went further: he saw a hole digging in the ground for an oven, and was apprehensive that they were all four to be roasted and eaten; but soon after, when he saw a pig lying at the spot, his fears of being put into the oven himself were removed. No hostility was shewn to any of them. When Mr. Anderson asked for something to eat, provision was brought him; and when he complained of the heat occasioned by the crowd, the chief himself fanned him
