consented to his remaining, on condition of his uncovering his shoulders, as they did; and Omai, who had got into another part of the crowd, was permitted to be present on the same terms. Yet, in some parts of the solemnity, they were not allowed to look around them, but were forced to sit with downcast looks, and demure as maids.
During the assembling of the crowd, several short addresses were given, some of which produced laughter, and others applause; but after the arrival of the royal party, order and solemnity were observed. The prince was placed under the shed, where two men put pieces of mat about him, and afterwards uttered a short speech or prayer: companies moved backward and forward across the area, as was done the day before; and three different processions arrived, bearing tribute; the first with cocoa-nut leaves, to represent cocoa-nuts; the second with empty baskets, to represent baskets of plantains or other fruits; and the third with small fishes, the only real tribute presented, each fixed at the end of a forked stick. The whole were received, with much ceremony, by men who sat on the right and left of the prince; and the fishes were snatched at by a person sitting behind, and when the latter, with some difficulty, succeeded in snatching a whole fish, the crowd around muttered mareeai—"well done", upon which he desisted from grasping at any more. After some speaking, or praying, the whole company started up, at a given signal, except the royal party, and retiring some paces, sat down with their backs to the prince. The Captain was forbidden to look behind; yet he ventured to transgress, and saw that the prince had turned his face towards the morai. He could
