The other dances were left off, and the whole ship’s company
assembling round M&dera, cheered and clapped him till the
dance was done. The chiefs joined in the applause, seeming
no less surprised than ourselves a t M&dera’s skill, for his
imitation of the sailors’ odd steps and gestures was as exact
as if he had lived amongst seamen all his life. The officers
then danced a country dance, after which the chiefs, unasked,
and with a sort of intuitive politeness, which rendered
every thing they did appropriate, instantly stepped
forward and danced several times round the quarter-deck,
to the infinite gratification of the sailors.
On returning to the cabin to tea, they were all in high
spirits, and while amusing themselves with a sort of wrestling
game, Ookooma, who had seen us placing ourselves in
sparring attitudes, threw himself suddenly into the boxer’s
position of defence, assuming a t the same time a fierceness
of look which we had never before seen in any of them.
The gentleman to whom he addressed himself, thinking that
Ookooma wished to spar, prepared to indulge him; but
M&dera’s quick eye saw what was going on, and by a word
or two made him instantly resume his wonted sedateness.
We tried in vain to make M&dera explain what were
the magical words which he had used to Ookooma. He
appeared anxious to turn our thoughts from the subject, by;
saying, “ Loo-choo man no fight; Loo-choo man write—
no fight,, no good, no, no. Ingerish very good, yes, yes,
yes ; Loo-choo man no fight.’’ Possibly he considered
that Ookooma was taking too great a lib e rty ; or, perhaps,
he thought even the semblance o f fighting unsuitable with
the strict amity subsisting between us.
Before they went away, Captain Maxwell, who had remarked
the satisfaction with which the chiefs received any
attention shewn to their children, ordered a large cake to be
brought him, which he divided into portions for the family
of each. The chiefs were in a proper mood to feel this kindness,
and they expressed themselves, as may be supposed,
very warmly upon the occasion. When they pu t off for the
shore they began singing, and never left off till they landed.
20th of October.—The forenoon was passed at the
Observatory, and afterwards we walked in the country
without being observed, for the chiefs had not yet recovered
from the effects of last night s gaiety: but we had not gone
a mile before Jeeroo overtook us. We were very anxious
to gain the brow of a neighbouring hill, from which we
imagined there would be a good view of the palace; but
although Jeeroo was the most obliging creature in the
world on every other occasion, he was resolute now in not
letting us go far beyond our usual limits; we tried to over