indulgence of lust, by promiscuous intercourse, and abominable licentiousness. And here, as is often the case, cruelty and lust were combined; the members being bound, on pain of expulsion, to murder their infant offspring at the birth, lest the rearing of children should interrupt their criminal pleasures. Adultery incurred so little disgrace, that Oberea, the wife of Oamo, openly kept a paramour named Obadee; and was not at all disconcerted, when Mr. Banks surprised them together in her canoe.
It is much to be regretted, that instead of discountenancing the licentiousness of the natives, the seamen of the Endeavour, like those of the Dolphin, and of the two French ships commanded by Bougainville, disgraced themselves by indulging in illicit intercourse with the females of Otaheite. Such practices are not only highly immoral and degrading, but tend to the subversion of discipline and good order. The attachments thus formed by the crew of the Endeavour, were attended with consequences that threatened to prove serious; for when the ship was nearly ready to set sail, two of the marines absconded with two girls, resolving to remain on the island; and in order to recover them, the Commander was forced to take Tootahah and other chiefs into custody, and to detain them on board, till through their influence and authority the fugitives were restored.
During the three months spent at Otaheite, attachments of a more honourable nature began to be formed; Tupia in particular, the high-priest of the island, and formerly prime minister of Oberea, conceived a warm friendship for the English, and often expressed a desire to accompany them.
