and that, if the party were not sent safely on board that day, Captain Cook would begin to destroy them. The nearer approach of the ships to the land, in the afternoon, confirmed Omai's words; but he took a more striking method of proving his assertions; for, when the chiefs ordered the multitude to form a ring, Omai having a few cartridges in his pocket, scattered some gunpowder in the centre, and taking a piece of burning wood from the oven where the pig was roasting, set fire to the powder; when the violent explosion, with the flame and smoke, filled the whole assembly with astonishment, and made them believe every thing he had told them.
Another remarkable circumstance occurred to Omai on this occasion: he had scarcely set his foot on shore, when he recognised among the multitude three of his own countrymen; Orououte, a native of Matavai in Otaheite; Otirreroa, born at Ulietea; and Tavee, a native of Huaheine. These men, with about 17 other persons, of both sexes, had, above twelve years before, embarked in a canoe at Otaheite, to cross over to Ulietea; but a furious storm arising, drove them off the coast, and they were carried, they knew not whither, for many days, during which, having no provisions, all of them died of hunger and thirst, except four men, whom Providence brought in a very exhausted state, to this island, where one man had since died. The amazement of Omai, at meeting his countrymen in an island about 200 leagues from their native home; and their surprise at seeing him along with a people whose persons and whose ships were now gazed at as the greatest wonders ever known at Wateeoo, may be better imagined than
