these, particularly Messrs. Gore and Mollineux, were now of considerable service, from their knowledge, both of the place and of the people. Among the natives who came off to the ship, was an elderly man named Owhaw, whom they immediately recognised as an old friend, who had been very serviceable to Capt. Wallis and his crew. With this friend, the Commander, Mr. Banks, Dr. Solander, and a party of men under arms, went on shore; and were received with profound respect by a number of the natives, bearing in their hands green branches of trees, as emblems of friendship. The visitors, plucking some branches from the trees, displayed the same token; and marching on about half a mile, were conducted to the spot where the Dolphin had watered. Here the green branches were deposited, and signs were made, that the place was at the service of our navigators; an offer which was not accepted, Matavai Bay being considered a more eligible station. The party then took a walk through delightful groves of trees, laden with cocoa-nuts and bread-fruit, and affording the most grateful shade. Among these trees were the simple dwellings of the natives, each consisting of a roof supported by wooden pillars, and generally open on all sides. The scenes thus presented to the view of our navigators, in a circuit of four or five miles, were at once novel and enchanting, appearing to realise the poetical fables of Arcadia.
Next day, two chiefs came on board the Endeavour, and on their invitation, Lieut. Cook and his scientific friends embarked in two boats, and paid a visit to Tootahah, now regent of that part of the island; his nephew Outou, or Otoo, the young
