>S*
‘w ’ ,ier’ an<* therefore, with great appearance o f mortifica-
<— |— i tion and difappointment, fpent the night in her canoe.
Tuefday 20. The next morning early, fhe returned to the fort, with
her Canoe and every thing that it contained, putting herfelf
wholly intoourpower, with fomething like greatnefs of mind,
which excited our wonder and admiration. As the moft effectual
means to bring about a reconciliation, fhe prefented
us with a hog, and feveral other things, among which was a
dog. We had lately learnt, that thefe animals were efteemed
by the Indians as more delicate food than their pork; and
upon this oeeafion we determined to try the experiment: the
dog, which was very fat, we configned over to Tupia, who
undertook to perform the double office of butcher and cook.
He killed him by holding his hands clofe over his mouth and
nofe, an operation which continued above a quarter of an
hour. While this was doing, a hole was made in the ground
about a foot deep, in which a fire was kindled, and fome fmall
ftones placed in layers alternately w ith the wood to heat; the
dog was then finged, by holding him over the fire, and, by
fcraping him with a fhell, the hair taken off as dean as i f he
had been fcalded in hot water; he was then eut up with the
fame inftrument, and his entrails being taken out, were
feat to the fea, where being carefully waffied, they were put
into, cocoa-nut fhells, with what blood had came from the
body : when the hole was fufficiently heated, the fire was
taken out, and fome of the Hones, which were not fo hot as
to, difcolour any thing that they touched, being placed at the
bottom, were covered with green leaves: the dog, with
the entrails, was then placed upon the leaves, and other
leaves being laid upon, them, the whole was covered with
the reft of the hot ftones, and the mouth o f the hole clofe
flopped with mould: in fonaewhat lefs than, four hours it
was again opened, and the dog taken ont excellently baked, >769.
and we all agreed that he made a very good diffi. The dogs . Junf’ .
Which are here bred to be eaten, tafte no animal food, but are Tttefda)’ 2°-
kept wholly upon bread-fruit, cocoa-nuts, yams, and other
vegetables of the like kind: all the flefli and fiffi eaten by
the inhabitants is dreflèd in the fame way.
On the sift, we were vifited at the fort by a Chief, called Wed«r.21.
0 a mo, whom we had never feen before, and who was tre a ted
fey the natives with uncommon refpeCt; he brought with him
a boy about feven years old, and a youftg woman about
fixteen: the boy was carried upon a man’s back, which we
confidered as a piece of ftate, for he was as well able to walk
as any prefent. As foon as they were in fight, Oberea, and
feveral other natives who were in the fort, went out to meet
them, having firft uncovered their heads and bodies as low.
as the waift: as they came on, the fame ceremony was performed
by all the natives who were without the fort. Uncovering
the body; therefore, is in this country probably a,
mark of refpeCt; and as all, parts are here expofed with equal:
indifference; the ceremony of uncovering it from the waift:
downwards,, which was performed by Oorattooa, might be-
nothing more than a different, mode of compliment,.adapted:
to perfons of a different rank. Tire Chief came into the tent,,
but no entreaty, could prevail upon the young Woman to fob
low him, though fhe feemed to refufe contrary to hen inclination:
the natives without were indeed all very folicitous to-
prevent,her; fometimes, when her refolution feemed to fail,,
almoft ufing force:. the boy alfo they reftrained.in the fame,
manner;, but Dr. Solander happening to meet him;at the
gate, took him by the hand, and. led, him in before the.
people were aware of it: as foon, however, as thofe.that;
were within faw him,, they took.care, to have.him fent out.'.