attempting it. This alarming difficulty was easily over-:
ruled by a promise of the barge, and they sat down again.
While the discussion was going on between Captain Maxwell
and his guests, MAdera kept his seat, and looked about
him in his keen observant way, to discover, if he could,
what was likely to be the issue of this adventure. Having
observed that in general we were anxious to keep our company
at table as long as we could, he naturally enough
thought that we would not let this opportunity pass of
entertaining the chiefs according to our fashion. He
appeared to have settled this question with himself ju st as
the chiefs resumed their seats, for rising half off his chair,:
and with a mixture of archness and simplicity, as if he had
made an amusing discovery, cried out in English, “ When
all drunk then go ashore !” Though Mddera, as will be seen,
was not quite right in his guess, there was enough of truth
in his remark to raise a hearty laugh among those who
understood him; and as he joined in this laugh at his own
joke, it was some time before he could explain what he had
said to the chiefs, who, being in a merry humour themselves,
took it in perfect good part, though their mirth was evidently
dashed by a little apprehension of the fate which Madera
had anticipated for them.
The health of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent was
then given, all the company standing in the most respectful
manner. This was followed by the health of the King of
Loo-choo, which was drank with similar observances. On
sitting down after the latter toast, the chiefs conferred a
few minutes across the table, and then all rose to propose
Captain Maxwell’s health; their wishes being explained by
M&dera. When they sat down, Captain Maxwell proposed
the health of Ookooma and the other chiefs, but as we in
return stood up to drink to them, their modesty disclaimed
this part of the compliment, and they rose likewise; nor
was it till a good deal of persuasion had been used, that they
consented to be seated while we were standing.
These four bumpers made the party very merry, and it
now was intimated to them, that as all the usual formalities
had been observed, they might drink just as much as they
liked, or pass the bottle altogether; a permission of which
few of them took advantage. They lighted their pipes,
laughed, joked, and seemed so happy, that it was agreed on
all hands, that conviviality is no where better understood
than at Loo-choo. After a time, at our request, they play ed
some games, of which we had heard them speak. The object
of these games was drinking; a cup of wine being the invariable
forfeit. That every thing might be in character during
the games, some of their own little cups were put on table.