N.W. course, in order to go round them. In the afternoon he passed Kotoo, the most westerly of the group; and was then near the high islands Oghao, or Kao, and Amattafoa, or Toofoa, seen in his former voyage: the smoke of the volcano on the latter was now distinctly observed, and when night came on, it was seen to emit flames. The natives regard it as the seat of some deity.
The groups of islands passed in this voyage sometimes presented a most enchanting appearance, each being clothed with cocoa palms and other rich trees, like a lovely garden placed in the sea; while the beauty of the whole, heightened by the serenity of the weather, seemed to realize the idea of some fairy land. A few of the isles appeared to have but recently emerged from the sea; one being seen altogether destitute of vegetation, and another that bore only a single tree. After passing Hafaiva, Footooha, and other isles known by name, our navigators, on saturday, the 17th, anchored at the Hapaee group; which was found to consist of four isles, Haanno, Foa, Lefooga, and Hoolaiva, connected by reefs.
Feenou, who had accompanied his new friends on this voyage, sometimes on board the Resolution, and sometimes in his own canoe, procured them a welcome reception at Lefooga, where they first landed. A large assembly was held on the shore; Feenou, with Capt. Cook and Omai, sat in a house placed there on purpose, while the multitude sat in a circle in front of them; Taipa, by Feenou's direction, harangued the people, on the subject of trading honestly with their visitors, and treating them kindly; and Earoupa, chief of the island, did the same. The Captain gave liberal presents to
