Omai bestowed on the lowest of the people, his companions. He would not have behaved so unlike himself, had it not been for the sinister influence of his sister and brother-in-law, who, with a few of their acquaintance, sought to engross him entirely to themselves, to strip him of every thing. To save him from ruin, the Captain was obliged to take the most useful articles of his property into his own custody, to remove him to Huaheine, and peremptorily to forbid these selfish people to follow him thither. Omai, however, had got one good thing here, for the many good things he gave away; viz. a fine double canoe, presented by Towha, completely equipped, and fit for the sea: and he decked it out with ten or a dozen flags and pendants, of different nations. He also provided himself with a good stock of cloth, and cocoa-nut oil, at Otaheite; where they are better and cheaper, than at the other islands.
A day or two before the ships sailed, Otoo came on board, and begged the Captain to take home a canoe with him, which he had prepared as a present to the Earee rahie no Pretane—"the King of Britain." Capt. Cook was much pleased with this token of gratitude, which was altogether spontaneous, and regretted that he could not accept the present, as it was too large to take on board. It was a handsome double canoe, richly decorated with carved work.
In leaving Otaheite at this time, it was a pleasing reflection for our navigators, that nothing had occurred during their stay, to interrupt their friendly intercourse with the inhabitants. No accidents had taken place, and no thefts of any consequence had been committed. The Captain had prudently
