hear him relate his adventures, a task for which he was ever ready. Yet the King seemed to feel a a superstitious awe; for when a kingfisher was making a noise in the trees, during the ceremonies, he said to Captain Cook, "That is the Eatooa." The screaming of a boy, too, when they were burying the human victim, and sacrificing the dog, seemed to impress many with the idea of a present divinity.
During the horrid ceremony, the Captain observed a profound silence; but, in returning home with Otoo, he expressed his detestation of it, to him and his attendants; and afterwards to Towha, whom they again met with at the small island. He told them, that such a cruel sacrifice, instead of propitiating the Deity, would rather draw down his vengeance; and he ventured to predict, that the war with Eimeo would prove unsuccessful; which he could safely anticipate from the disunion of the Tahitians. Omai, who acted as his interpreter, seconded his remonstrances so warmly, that Towha seemed to be in great wrath; and when Omai told him, that had he thus put a man to death in England, his rank would not have protected him from being hanged, he exclaimed, "vile vile;" and would not hear another word. Several natives present, heard Omai's statement with very different feelings. Towha seemed angry with Captain Cook also, because he peremptorily refused to take part in the war.
The evening of this day was spent by Captain Cook and his friends at Otoo's house, where they were entertained with a heeva, or play, in which his three sisters were performers. With such exhibitions our people were often amused; besides
