1786. and that there was from fixty-fix to feventy fathom water clofe in
. Ihore. We now learnt, that Teereteere generally refided in this
bay, which is called by the natives Whitette Bay.
Except the affair of the whale-boat, we had difcovered very few
thefts; but this, doubtlefs, has been owing to our keeping the
veffel as clear of the natives as polfible, more than their honeft dif-
polition, which we are allured is not at all to be depended on.
I lhall embrace every opportunity of acquainting thee with our
future proceedings ; mean while, believe me thine, &c.
W . B. W hahoo, 7
i6thDec. J
L E T T E R XXIII.
AM O N G S T the few vifitors we admitted on board, (befides
the King, and his attendants) was an old prieft, who
feemed to have confiderable authority among!! the natives. He
always brought two attendants with him ; one purpofely to prepare
his Ava, and the other to be always near his perlon, whenever
he Ihould be wanted. The Ava is a root, lomewhat relembling our
liquorice, in lhape and colour, but totally different in tafte. None
but the Arees, or Chiefs, are permitted to ufe it, and they never prepare
it themfelves, but always keep a fervant,whofefole bufmefs is
(Gany-
(Ganymede like) to prepare and anminifter this nelicious potation 1786.
to his mailer. He fiLrlt begins by chewing a fuflicient quantity, , .. . i
till it is well mafticated ; this is put into a neat wooden bowl,
made for the purpofe, and a fmail quantity of water being poured
over, it is well fqueezed, and the liquor afterw ards ftrained through
a piece of cloth. The delicious beverage is now compleat, and is
drank with the highelt relilh.
This root is of an intoxicating nature, but leans to llupify,
rather than exhilirate the fpirits. Its effects are very pernicious,
if we may judge by the old prieft, who appeared greatly emaciated,
and his body was covered with a white fcurf, which had the appearance
of the leprofy. The wind ftill kept at North Eaft, and Eaft
North E a ft; but from the 13th to the 16th, a very heavy fwell fet
into the bay from the South Eaft, which caufed the veffel to roll
very much.
On the 14th, we perceived the natives very bufily employed on
the hill, at the South Eaft extreme of the illand; and by noon on
the 15th, their work was fo far advanced, that we could plainly
difcern they were erecting a houfe, though the diftance from us
was very confiderable. The fame afternoon, all the canoes left
both fhips, and not one returned in the evening, which, till now,
had never been the cafe; for, as an intercourfe with women was
allowed, (indeed it could not eafily be prevented) our people never
failed to have a number on board every night. This made us fuf-
pe£t, that the people were tabooed ; and our conjectures proved to
be right, for during the whole of the 16th, not a fingle canoe appeared
in the bay; but the fummit of the mountain round the
new erected edifice, was perfectly crowded with people the whole
day;