OF THE TONGA PEOPLE.

291

explanation we shall elucidate by notes. Thedate of the following circumstances is the 18thof May, 1777.

“ Next morning early, Feenow and Omai,“ who scarcely ever quitted the chief, and now“ slept on shore, came on board. The object“ of their visit was to require my presence“ upon the island. After some time, I accom-“ panied them ; and upon landing was con-“ ducted to the same place where I had been“ seated the day before, and where I saw a“ large concourse of people already assembled.“ I guessed that something more than ordinary“ was in agitation, but coidd not tell what, nor“ could Omai inform me.

“ I had not been long seated before near a“ hundred of the natives appeared in sight,“ and advanced laden with yams, bread-fruit,“ plantains, cocoa-nuts, and sugar-canes. They“ deposited their burdens in two heaps or piles,“ upon our left, being the side they came from.“ Soon after arrived a number of others from“ the right, bearing the same kind of articles,* c which were collected into two piles on that“ side. To these were tied two pigs and six“ fowls, and to those upon the left six pigs and“ two turtles. Earoupa seated himself before“ the several articles upon the left, and another“ chief before those upon the right, they being,

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