684 CAPTAIN cook’s LAST VOYAGfi.

far the greateft part of the country was cultivated, and planted with various forts ofprodudions. We met with feveral large uninhabited houfes, which we were toldbelonged to the King. There were many public and well-beaten roads, and abundanceof foot-paths leading to every part of the ifland. It is remarkable that when we wereon the mod elevated parts, at leaf! a hundred feet above the level of the fea, we oftenmet with the fame coral rock which is found at the Ihore; and yet thefe very fpots,.with hardly any foil upon them, were covered with luxuriant vegetation. We faw fontsfprings, but the water was either flunking or brackifh.

When we returned from our walk, which was not till the dulk of the evening, ourfupper was ready. It confifted of a baked hog, fome fifli and yams, all excellentlywell cooked, after the method of thefe iflands. As there was nothing to amufe usafter fupper, we followed the cuftom of the country, and lav down to fleep, our bedsbeing mats fpread upon the floor, and cloth to cover us. The King, who had madehimfelf very happy with fome wine and brandy which we had brought, flept in thefame houfe, as well as feveral others of the natives. Long before day-break, he andthey all rofe, and fat converfing by moon-light. The converfation, as might well begueffed, turned wholly upon us ; but it was not long before they all returned, and withthem feveral more of their countrymen.

They now began to prepare a bowl of kava; and, leaving them fo employed, 1went to vifit old Toobou, Captain Furneaux’s friend, who had a houfe hard by, whichfor fize and neatnefs was exceeded by few in the place. As I had left the others, fo*I found here a company preparing a morning draught. This chief made.a prefent tome of a living hog, a baked one, a quantity of yams, and a large piece of cloth. WhenI returned to the King, I found him, and his circle of attendants, drinking the fecondbowl of kava.

We had feen the drinking of kava fometimes at the other iflands ; but by no meansfo frequently as here, where it feems to be the only forenoon employment of theprincipal people. The kava is a fpecies of pepper, which they cultivate for thispurpofe, and efteem it a valuable article. It feldom grows to more than a man sheight; it branches confiderably, with large heart-lhaped leaves and jointed ftalks-The root is the only part that is ufed. They break it in pieces, fcrape the dirt offwith a Ihell, and then each begins and chews his portion, which he fpits into a plantain-leaf. The perfon who is to prepare the liquor, collefts all thefe mouthfuls, and putsthem into a large wooden difh or bowl, adding as much water as will make it of aproper ftrength. It is then well mixed up with the hands; and fome loofe ftuff>which mats are made, is thrown upon the furface. The immediate effect of thisbeverage is not perceptible on thefe people, who ufe it fo frequently, but on fome oxours, who ventured to try it, though fo naftily prepared, it had the fame power asfpirits have in intoxicating them ; or rather, it produced that kind of ltupefa£h° n »which is the confequence of ufing opium, or other fubftances of that kind. I h avefeen them drink it feven times before noon, yet it is fo difagreeable, or at lead feemsfo, that the greateft part of them cannot fwallow it without making wry faces, anfhuddering afterward.

We now left Mooa, and fet out to return to the {hips. While we rowed down thelagoon or inlet, we met with two canoes coming in from filhing. Poulaho orderethem to be called alonglide our boat, and took from them every fifli and {hell they

got. Tiroo rlmio T e'inn r\r~ if m*Atri(inn8 Ifl

boat. Somefhip.

Why this was done, I cannot fay ; for we had plenty of provifions m 1ne of this filh he gave to me, and his fervants fold the reft on board the

We

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