'773- was foon opened on board the Chips'; fo that we had a fa ir
profpeft o f being plentifully fupplied with frefli pork and
Fnd^ 3. fowjs . anc]) t0 people in our Situation, this was no unwelcome
thing. I learnt that my old friend Oree, chief of the
ifle, was ftill living, and that he. was haftening to this part
to fee me.
SaterJiy 4. Early next morning, Lieutenant Pickerfgill failed with
the cutter, on a trading party, toward the fouth end of the
ifle. 1 alfo fent another trading party on Chore near the
Chips, with which I went myfelf, to fee that it was properly
conducted at the firft fetting out, a very neceflary point to
be attended to. Every thing being fettled to my mind, I
went, accompanied by Captain Furneaux and Mr. Forfter,
to pay my firft vifit to Qree, who, I was told, was waiting
for me. We were conducted to the place by one o f the natives
; but were not permitted to go out of our boat, till we
had gone through fome part of the following ceremony,
ufually performed at this ifle, on fuch like occafions. The
boat in which we were defired to remain, being landed before
the chief’s houfe, that flood clofe to the Chore, five
young plantain trees, which are their emblems of peace,
were brought on board feparately, and with fome ceremony.
Three young pigs, with their ears ornamented with cocoa-
nut fibres, accompanied the firft three;'and a dog, the
fourth. Each had its particular name, and purpofe, rather
too myfterious for us to underftand. Laftly, the chief fent
to me the infcription engraved on a fmall piece of pewter,
which I left with him in July 1769. It was in the fame bag
I had made for it, together with a piece of counterfeit Eng-
lifh coin, and a few beads, put in at the fame time; which
Chews how well he had taken care of the whole. When
7 they
they had made an end of putting into the boat the things 1773-
juft mentioned, our guide, who ftill remained with us, de-
fired us to decorate three young plantain trees with looking- Sat“r ay +’
glades, nails, medals, beads, &c. &c. This being accordingly
done, we landed with thefe in our hands, and were
conduced towards the chief, through the multitude; they
making a lane, as it were, for us to pafs through. We were
made to fit down a few paces Chort of the chief, and our
plantains were then taken from us, and, one by one, laid
before him, as the others had been laid before us. One was
for Eatoua (or God), the fecond for the Earee (or King), and
the third for Ti?o (or FriendChip). This being done, I
wanted to go to the King, but was told that he would come
to me; which he accordingly did, fell upon my neck, and embraced
me. This was by no means ceremonious; the tears,
which trickled plentifully down his venerable old cheeks,
fufficiently befpoke the language of his heart. The whole
ceremony being over, all his friends were introduced to us,
to whom we made prefents. Mine to the chief confided of
the moft valuable articles I had; for I regarded this man as
a father. In return he gave me a hog, and a quantity of
cloth, promifing that all our wants Chould be fupplied ; and
it will foon appear how well he kept his word. At length
we took leave, and returned on board; and, fome time after,
Mr. Pickerfgill returned alfo with fourteen hogs. Many more
were got by exchanges on Chore, and along-fide the Chips j
befides fowls, and fruit in abundance.
This good old chief made me a vifit early in the morning
on the 5th, together with fome of his friends, bringing me Sunday 5,
a hog and fome fruit, for which I made him a fuitable return.
He carried his kindnefs fo far, as not to fail to fend
me every day, for my table, the very beft of ready drefled
Y a fruit,