3 X3
'773- O A m m o * , who had once been the king of all Taheitee,
.September. - 5
refided with his fon the young f'-Aree D e r m f • He took
up his firft night’ s lodging on the borders of' a ftnall di-
ftrift, which was now the property of the famous queen
O-Poores (Oberea.) As foon as fhe heard of his arrival
fhe haftened to him, and’ met her old acquaintance with
repeated marks of friendffiip. She had feparated from her
hufband J fome time after the departure of captain Wallis,
and was now entirely deprived of that greatnefs which had
once rendered her confpicudus in Rory, and augufl in the
eyes of Europeans §. The civil wars between the two' pe-
ninfulas of the ifland had flripped her, as well as the whole
diftriA of Paparra, of the greateft part of her wealth, fo
that fhe complained to the lieutenant that Ihe was poor,
(leetee,) and had not a hog to give her friends. The next
morning therefore they left her, and in their return touched
at Paparra, where they- faw Ammo, who, after parting
with O-Poorea, had taken one of the handfomefl young
women of the country to his bed, and appeared to be aged
and indolent. His fair one gave- a hog to our people,
and, with fame of her female attendants, ftepped into the
boat at their departure, and went the whole day with
them, her own canoe attending to take her back again.
* See Hawkefworth, vol. II. p. 153, 154. Oamo.
.4- Ibid. vol. II. p. 154.' Terridirri.
J Ibid. vol. II. p. 154. § Ibid, vol, II. p. 106.
On
On this excurfion fhe exprelTed a great degree of curiofity, Septembe
which feemed never to have been gratified before by the
fight of Europeans, infomuch that fhe was doubtful whether
they were formed at all points like her own countrymen,
till her eyes removed every doubt. With her they
landed at Attahooroo, where a chief named Potatow * received
them very cordially, and entertained them at his
own houfe during the fecond night. He too had parted
with his wife Polatehera, and taken a younger to his bed,,
while the lady had provided herfelf with a lover or a hufband,
and they all continued to live very peaceably in the
fame family. The next morning at parting Potatow pro-
mifed to accompany Mr. Pickerfgill to Matavai, in order to>
vifit captain Cook, provided he might be fure of good
treatment. Mr. Pickerfgill allured him of the beft reception;
but the chief, for greater fafety, produced a few
fmall yellow feathers, tied together into a little tuft, which
he defired Mr.. Pickerfgill to hold, whilft he repeated his
promife, I that ‘Toote (captain Cook) would be the friend
| of Potatow.” This, done, he carefully wrapped the feathers
into a bit of Indian cloth, and put it in his turban..
We knew, from former accounts, that red and yellow feathers
were employed by the inhabitants of this ifland to-
fix their attention while they prayed to the Deity ; but this-
ceremony conveyed an idea of a folemn affirmation or oath,
* See. Hawkefworth, vol. II. p. 17,0. ■
whichi