# The Life and Voyages of Captain James Cook/Chapter 19

Departure from New Zealand. Feelings of the two New Zealand youths. Mangeea discovered: notices of the island and its inhabitants. Discovery of Wateeoo; landing there; behaviour of the natives, who sought to detain the party on shore. Omiai's policy. He meets three of his countrymen, driven hither by a storm some years before. Supplies got a Wenooa-ette. Hervey Island visited; notices of the inhabitants. Palmerston Island; supplies got. Komango; trade with the natives. Arrival at Arnamooka. Kindness of the natives. The chiefs Toobou and Taipa. Feenou, a great chief, introduced as King of the Friendly Isles. Great authority of the chiefs, and abject state of the lower orders. Singular method adopted for suppressing theft. Visit paid to the Hapaee Isles by Feenou's desire. Friendly reception there; public festivities, single combats; liberal presents exchanged. Marines exercised. Night exhibitions. Intended treachery, as stated by Mariner. Areekee met with. Visit of Poulaho, the real King of the Friendly Isles. Landing at Kotoo. Return to Aanamooka. Feenou's true rank. Removal to Tongataboo. Meeting with Attago.
Having got every thing on board, the vessels sailed from Ship Cove, on tuesday, February 25th, and having passed through Cook's Strait, proceeded on their voyage in a S.E. direction. Scarcely were they out of sight of land, when the two New Zealand youths, who were affected with sea sickness, began, in a plaintive song, to lament their home and their kindred, to which they had bid a lasting adieu. Their fits of wailing were frequently renewed for a number of days, notwithstanding all the means employed to sooth and comfort them; but their sorrows gradually subsided, and at length ​they became reconciled to their lot, and attached to their new friends.
On the 29th of March, our navigators discovered an island, which was found to be called Mangeea. Next day, various attempts were made to land; but the island, which was fertile and well inhabited, being surrounded by a coral reef, no good anchorage was found, nor any convenient landing place perceived. A native called Mourooa, who was understood to be the King's brother, came off in a canoe, with another man; and encouraged by Omai, who spoke to them in the Tahitian language, ventured alongside, and received some beads and nails. Captain Cook putting off in a boat for the shore, with another boat from the Discovery, the islander stepped into his boat, and approached the land with him, where many natives, armed with long spears and clubs, were collected. Some of them swam off to the boats, and came on board them without any reserve; nay, it was difficult to keep them out, and to prevent them from pilfering. But when the boats returned towards the ships, no landing place being found, all the natives retired, except Mourooa, who accompanied Capt. Cook on board. He expressed less surprise at seeing the cattle and other strange objects in the ship, than might have been expected: which perhaps arose from his uneasiness about his personal safety. Yet as he stumbled over a goat, in coming out of the cabin, he asked Omai, what bird it was! A boat was sent to convey him near the surf, when he leaped into the sea, and swam ashore. Here his countrymen were seen crowding around him, to learn the wonders he had seen on board.
When the boat had returned, our voyagers made ​sail to the northward, leaving this fine island unexamined. It is situated in lat. 21° 57' S., long. 201° 53' E; and is full five leagues in circuit, rising into hills in the interior. The inhabitants resemble the Tahitians and Marquesans, being a stout, well made race. The men had no clothing on their body but a belt and wrapper; most of them wore a kind of turban of white cloth on their head, and sandals on their feet. They salute, like the New Zealanders, by touching noses, in addition to which, they take the hand of the stranger, and rub it upon the nose and mouth. Their island produces plantains, bread-fruit, and taro; but they have neither hogs nor dogs.
In the afternoon of the 30th, our navigators left Mangeea, and next day they came in sight of another island, about the same extent, which was found to bear the name Wateeoo, situated in 20° 1' S. lat., 201° 45' E. long. Here, also, neither anchorage nor a good landing place could be found. On wednesday, April 2nd, three canoes came alongside the Resolution, each containing one man; and the men, with a little persuasion, ventured on board, after an exchange of presents. These having departed, another man came in a canoe with a bunch of plantains, as a present from the principal chief of the island to Captain Cook, whom he asked for by name; having learned his name from Omai, whom he met in a boat with Lieut. Gore. The Captain gave him in return an axe, and a piece of red cloth, with which he paddled back well satisfied. A double canoe next ​approached the ship, containing twelve men, who recited some words in concert, by way of chorus; and, having finished their chant, asked for the chief; upon which, the Captain shewing himself, was presented with a pig and some cocoa-nuts; and received also a piece of matting, after the men had come on board.
The strangers gazed with surprise on the objects which were shewn them in the cabin, and other parts of the ship. The sheep and goats they considered as some strange sorts of birds; but they could make nothing of the cows and horses, which they durst not approach. They were dismissed with presents, but felt disappointed in not receiving a dog; a disappointment which another party experienced on board the Discovery. Next morning, other natives came in a canoe, bringing a hog, with some plantains and cocoa-nuts, and earnestly requiring a dog in return. To gratify them, Omai parted with a favourite dog which he had brought from England. Another person on board had a pair, which might have propagated the race in the island; but he would not dispose of them.
In the forenoon, Capt. Cook sent Lieut. Gore, with two boats from the Resolution, and one from the Discovery, to endeavour to procure a supply of stems of plantain trees, as food for the cattle. When the boats approached the shore, the natives were so busy in admiring Omai's dog, round which they eagerly crowded, that for a while they paid little attention to the boats, or the company on board. Soon after, two canoes came off to take the visitors on shore. It was arranged by Lieut. Gore, that Lieutenant Burney and Mr. Anderson should go ashore in one canoe, and that he and ​Omai, after some interval, should land in another; and that, to inspire more confidence in the islanders, they should go unarmed. The natives, watching the motions of the surf, landed them safely on the reef; and leading them by the hand over the rugged coral rocks, brought them to the beach, where others presented them with green boughs, and kindly saluted them. From the beach they were conducted up an avenue of cocoa-palms, some persons having authority keeping off the crowd, by blows as well as words; and after coming to a number of men, arranged in two rows, armed with clubs which they rested on their shoulders, Messrs. Burney and Anderson were introduced to a chief, who sat on the ground cross-legged, cooling himself with a triangular fan, made from the leaf of the cocoa-palm, with a polished handle of black wood. From him they were led to a second chief, and then to a third; who, after their salutations, desired them to sit down. Each of the chiefs was sitting, fanning himself; and each was distinguished by beautiful bunches of red feathers fastened in the ears, and pointing forward.
In a few minutes after, the crowd was directed to open, and about 20 handsome young women, also adorned with red feathers, came forward and performed a dance, which they accompanied with a song, rather slow and solemn. Each dancer remained in one spot, yet their feet kept moving, while the motions of their fingers were much more rapid, and now and then accompanied with clapping of hands. When the dance was closing, a noise was heard like the galloping of horses; and this was found to proceed from an exhibition of their mode of fighting with clubs, one party pur​suing another that fled. While these amusements or ceremonies were going on, Lieutenant Gore and Omai came forward, and were introduced successively to the three chiefs, to each of whom Mr. Gore gave a present. After this, he informed them of the object of his landing, Omai acting as his interpreter: the answer was, that he must wait until next day, and then he should be supplied.
But delay was not the only inconvenience to which the gentlemen had to submit. They were jostled about among the crowd, who were eager to gratify their curiosity in examining persons so new and strange to them, and contrived to separate them, so that each might have a cluster round him, and a greater number have an opportunity of viewing such wonderful beings more closely. Not content with surveying them minutely, the natives. stole several articles out of their pockets, or from their persons one of them snatched a small bayonet from Lieut. Gore's side, and Omai lost a dagger which he brought with him. Of these thefts, complaints were made to the chiefs, but no redress was obtained. The officers tried to get away to the beach, but were not permitted; so that they began to be afraid that they should be detained all night. Omai's fears went further: he saw a hole digging in the ground for an oven, and was apprehensive that they were all four to be roasted and eaten; but soon after, when he saw a pig lying at the spot, his fears of being put into the oven himself were removed. No hostility was shewn to any of them. When Mr. Anderson asked for something to eat, provision was brought him; and when he complained of the heat occasioned by the crowd, the chief himself fanned him ​When the natives saw their visitors uneasy, they renewed the tokens of peace, sticking green boughs before them, which they were desired to take hold of: and when they were urgent to get their business despatched, the chief sent some people to bring a few plantain trees for the cattle; but intimated that the gentlemen behoved to stay and partake of the repast prepared for them. Accordingly, the multitude making a large ring, the four strangers were seated by the second chief, Taroa, and entertained with cocoa-nuts, baked plantains, and portions of the baked hog. Omai was further treated with a drink of ava, prepared in the mode used in his own country. After this, the party were put on board their boats, by means of canoes, with some cocoa-nuts, some plantain trees, and other provisions brought to them. They were glad to get safe on board, about sun-set, after being so many hours in the midst of a crowd, consisting of not less than 2000 people. The Captain was very anxious for their arrival, and had brought the ships as near the shore as was prudent, with a view to their protection; although the occasional visits of the natives, during the day, served to convince him, that nothing hostile was intended.
The party seem to have, in some degree, owed their safe return to the ships, to the ingenuity of Omai, and his strong assertions of the power of the British, and the force of their fire-arms. His statements, indeed, were much exaggerated; for he told the natives, that some of the British ships were as large as their island, and had guns that could crush their whole country at one shot; that even the guns now on board the two ships, could easily destroy the island, and kill every soul in it; ​and that, if the party were not sent safely on board that day, Captain Cook would begin to destroy them. The nearer approach of the ships to the land, in the afternoon, confirmed Omai's words; but he took a more striking method of proving his assertions; for, when the chiefs ordered the multitude to form a ring, Omai having a few cartridges in his pocket, scattered some gunpowder in the centre, and taking a piece of burning wood from the oven where the pig was roasting, set fire to the powder; when the violent explosion, with the flame and smoke, filled the whole assembly with astonishment, and made them believe every thing he had told them.
Another remarkable circumstance occurred to Omai on this occasion: he had scarcely set his foot on shore, when he recognised among the multitude three of his own countrymen; Orououte, a native of Matavai in Otaheite; Otirreroa, born at Ulietea; and Tavee, a native of Huaheine. These men, with about 17 other persons, of both sexes, had, above twelve years before, embarked in a canoe at Otaheite, to cross over to Ulietea; but a furious storm arising, drove them off the coast, and they were carried, they knew not whither, for many days, during which, having no provisions, all of them died of hunger and thirst, except four men, whom Providence brought in a very exhausted state, to this island, where one man had since died. The amazement of Omai, at meeting his countrymen in an island about 200 leagues from their native home; and their surprise at seeing him along with a people whose persons and whose ships were now gazed at as the greatest wonders ever known at Wateeoo, may be better imagined than ​described. It seemed like one of the marvellous rencounters of fable, rather than an adventure of real life. Omai immediately obtained for his countrymen the offer of a passage to their native isles; but the kind treatment which they had received here, and the fresh connexions which they had formed, made them decline the offer.
The almost miraculous transplantation of these Tahitians affords an interesting illustration of the manner in which the detached parts of the earth, particularly the islands of the South Sea, have been first peopled. There were females as well as males in the canoe which brought them hither; and had they been driven on an uninhabited island, before the latter perished with hunger, that island would henceforth have been furnished with inhabitants. A fact like this, is better than a thousand speculative conjectures on the peopling of our globe.
The people of Wateeoo were like those of Mangeea, having their persons tattooed, and decorated with ornaments, but wearing almost no clothes. The females wore a kind of short petticoat. Their canoes were generally double; and some of them were beautifully stained with black, in squares, triangles, and other figures; excelling any thing of the kind which our navigators had yet seen.
In the evening the ships left this island, and next morning arrived at a small uninhabited island, called Wenooa-ette, about three or four leagues north of Wateeoo. Here Lieut. Gore was sent on shore with two boats, and obtained about 100 cocoa nuts for each ship, and a quantity of grass, leaves, and young branches, for the cattle. The place was found to be occasionally inhabited, and ​in one of the empty huts, a hatchet and some nails were left, as a compensation for the supplies taken away.
From hence our navigator steered for Hervey's Island, discovered in his former voyage. He had supposed it to be uninhabited; and was therefore surprised, in approaching it on the 6th, to see six or seven double canoes, containing from three to six men in each, come off from the shore. For some time they kept at a distance; but Omai persuaded them to come alongside, yet no entreaties could induce any of them to venture on board. They were, however, remarkably daring in seizing whatever was within their reach, and struck one of the Discovery's men, who was preventing them from stealing the oars of a boat. They shewed, at the same time, a knowledge of barter, exchanging some fish for small nails, which they eagerly received, as they did also bits of paper, and other trifles, thrown to them. These people were more fierce and rugged in their aspect and disposition than those of Wateeoo, to which island they were subject; having more resemblance to the New Zealanders, while they spoke a dialect that approached more to the Tahitian. They wore a piece of narrow mat round the body; but not one of them was tattooed. They inquired, like the islanders last visited, the names of the ships, and their chief, the number of men on board, whence they came, and whither they were bound; while, on their part, they very readily answered the questions put to them; and stated, among other things, that they had seen two great ships pass their island before; which, doubtless, were the Resolution and Adventure.
​When Lieut. King was sent with two boats to search for a landing place, the natives hastened to the shore; and there a crowd of people, armed with clubs and long pikes, seemed ready to oppose his landing; although some threw cocoa nuts to the seamen, and invited them to land. Their dispositions were not put to the test, for no landing place could be found.
Being thus repeatedly disappointed in seeking grass, water, and other supplies, while unfavourable winds retarded his progress, Captain Cook found, that it would be impossible to do any thing this season in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, from which he was still at a great distance. His first care now was to save the cattle, and husband the stores and provisions of the ships; and he bore away for the Friendly Islands, to procure supplies: but the winds failing him, he made for Palmerston Island, which was nearer; and the water being much reduced, he procured 16 gallons by the still; but soon after got a much larger supply, collected during heavy showers of rain.
On monday, April 14th, the ships arrived at Palmerston Island; and on some of the islets of which it is composed, large supplies of food for the cattle were obtained, consisting of scurvy-grass, palm-cabbage, young cocoa-nut trees, and the tender branches of the wharra tree. About 1200 cocoa-nuts were also collected for the use of the crew, among whom they were equally divided. Tropic birds, boobies, and other fowls, were taken in abundance, for the people of both ships; and quantities of fine fish were caught, chiefly by Omai; who was likewise very useful, in dressing both fish and birds in a Tahitian oven, which he ​constructed and used with a dexterity and good humour which did him credit. Excellent shell-fish was also to be had in plenty: so that here both man and beast fared sumptuously.
Palmerston Island is composed of nine or ten low islets, occupying the prominent points of a circular reef, inclosing a lagoon in the centre. Capt. Cook makes some judicious remarks on the continued growth of such islands, not only by the labours of madrepores, or the insects forming the coral, under water; but by the accumulation of sand above the ordinary reach of the tide, the growth of plants, and the increase of vegetable mould resulting from their decay. He justly supposes, that this reef may eventually form one continuous island, and may even fill up the central lagoon.—In some parts were seen the most enchanting submarine grottoes, formed with corals, branching in great luxuriance, and richly diversified in their shapes and colours; while the shells with which they were copiously bespangled, and the beautiful fishes that gently glided along their surface, added much to the grandeur of the scene. On thursday, the 17th, the ships proceeded to the westward, for Annamooka, and passing Savage Island in the night of the 24th, came in sight of the isles that lie east of Annamooka, on the 28th.
On this voyage, some heavy showers furnished a copious supply of fresh water; and the Captain finding that more could be got in an hour by the rain, than could be procured by distillation in a month, laid aside the still, as a thing attended with more trouble than profit. It is observable, that although the frequent rains and intense heat between the tropics, are often injurious to health, ​there was not a single person on board now sick, either from the constant use of salt food, or the change of climate.
The ships having cast anchor near the small island Komango, some of the natives came off in canoes, and bartered cocoa-nuts, bread-fruit, plantains, and sugar-canes, for nails. Next day, canoes came from different islands, bringing fruit, roots, pigeons and other fowls, together with two pigs; for which they received hatchets, beads, and nails. Curiosities, such as clubs, bows, and musical reeds, were also brought for sale; but Capt. Cook gave orders, that no curiosities should be purchased, till the ships should be well supplied with provisions; and at the same time issued salutary regulations for conducting the trade with the natives. Lieut. King being sent to Komango for provisions, returned with seven hogs, some fowls, a quantity of fruit and roots, together with some grass for the cattle. He brought on board Tooboulangee, the chief of the island, and another chief named Taipa, who brought a hog as a present, and promised more next day; a promise which they faithfully performed. It was observable, that the natives who traded on this and the following day, would hardly dispose of an article to any one but Capt. Cook, in whose goodness and justice they placed the fullest confidence.
After some time spent in seeking a better harbour, the ships were brought to an anchor at Annamooka, on thursday, May 1st, in the same spot which the Resolution occupied. three years before, and in which Tasman anchored in 1643. Here both the Captains went on shore next day, with several of the officers; the observatories were set ​up, by permission of the natives, who also allowed a boat-house to be used as a tent. Toobou, the chief of the island, conducted Captain Cook and Omai to his house, situated on a pleasant spot, in the centre of his plantation. A fine grass-plot surrounded it, where, as he intimated, those who went in might wipe their feet; and it certainly had a most cleanly appearance, the floor being covered with mats, as neat and elegant as the carpet of an English drawing-room. Taipa, who attached himself firmly to the Captain, had a house brought on men's shoulders, a full quarter of a mile, and iplaced close to the tent. Next day, he harangued the natives at some length; instructing them how to behave to our people, and encouraging them to bring their produce to market; and his eloquence had a happy effect in increasing the supplies of food.
In the mean time, the crews-of both ships were busily employed: the horses and the weakly part of the cattle were taken on shore; some were employed in making hay for them; some in filling the water casks at a neighbouring pool, and others in cutting wood. The latter cut some faitanoo trees that yielded a milky juice, so corrosive as to blister their skin, and injure their eyes; but they found plenty of more suitable wood in another spot.
On tuesday, May 6th, Feenou, a great chief from Tongataboo, visited the place, and was falsely represented by Taipa as King of all the Friendly Isles, who had come hither to see the British. The natives paid their obeisance to him, by bowing their heads as low as his feet, the soles of which they touched with each hand, first with the ​palm, and then with the back part. He sent a present of two fish on board, by one of his servants; and Capt. Cook landed to pay his respects to him. Finding that this was not the Areekee whom he formerly saw at Tongataboo, but a tall thin person, about thirty years old, with features of a European cast, the Captain asked if he was the King; and Taipa answered for him, enumerating 153 islands under his sway. He accompanied the Captain on board, with five or six attendants; and having received kind entertainment and valuable presents, he sent three hogs on board in the evening. From this time he dined on board daily; and Captain Cook was glad to have his company, as none but Taipa was allowed to sit at meat with him, or eat in his presence; whereas, before his arrival, the Captain's table overflowed with natives, both men and women; the females here not being denied, as at Otaheite, the privilege of eating with the men. One day, his servants brought on board for him, a mess of fish soup prepared with cocoa-nut liquor; a dish which the Captain also tasted, and found to be very palatable.
The despotic power of the chiefs over the common people, in the Friendly Isles, was often displayed. An axe which had been stolen out of the Resolution on her arrival, was on the Captain's application to Feenou speedily recovered, his command to that effect being implicitly obeyed. An inferior chief, while Feenou was on board, ordered the people away from the tent; and some of them venturing to return, he beat them unmercifully with a large stick. One man was so cruelly abused that he was carried off for dead, though he afterwards recovered; and when the chief was told ​that he had killed him, instead of being sorry, he only laughed at it. In one instance only, a chief was caught pilfering; and Capt. Cook ordered him a dozen lashes, and made him pay a hog besides. After this, the chiefs never stole any thing themselves, but employed their servants, or slaves, to steal for them; and so little value did they put on the lives of the latter, that when any of them were caught in the act, instead of interceding for them, they often desired our people to kill them. The poor wretches were so inured to hard usage, that a flogging seemed to make no more impression on them, than it would have made on the main-mast. Captain Clerke hit upon a less cruel, but more effective, plan for checking their depredations; every culprit that was taken had his head completely shaved by the barber, and was thus not only made an object of ridicule, but a marked man; care being taken, that all who had received the tonsure should be kept at a distance.
Finding that the supplies here began to be exhausted, Capt. Cook got every thing on board, with a view to proceed to Tongataboo; but Feenou, apprized of his design, and perhaps dreading that his own pretensions to royalty would in that case be quickly at an end, strongly urged him to prefer the Hapaee isles, a group lying to the northeast; and our navigator yielded to his importunity. Some time was lost in recovering the Discovery's anchors, the cables having been cut by the coral rocks; but at last, on wednesday, May 14th, the ships left Annamooka. Between this island and Hapaee, the sea is sprinkled with a multitude of small isles; and, to avoid the risk of passing through the midst of them, Captain Cook took a ​N.W. course, in order to go round them. In the afternoon he passed Kotoo, the most westerly of the group; and was then near the high islands Oghao, or Kao, and Amattafoa, or Toofoa, seen in his former voyage: the smoke of the volcano on the latter was now distinctly observed, and when night came on, it was seen to emit flames. The natives regard it as the seat of some deity.
The groups of islands passed in this voyage sometimes presented a most enchanting appearance, each being clothed with cocoa palms and other rich trees, like a lovely garden placed in the sea; while the beauty of the whole, heightened by the serenity of the weather, seemed to realize the idea of some fairy land. A few of the isles appeared to have but recently emerged from the sea; one being seen altogether destitute of vegetation, and another that bore only a single tree. After passing Hafaiva, Footooha, and other isles known by name, our navigators, on saturday, the 17th, anchored at the Hapaee group; which was found to consist of four isles, Haanno, Foa, Lefooga, and Hoolaiva, connected by reefs.
Feenou, who had accompanied his new friends on this voyage, sometimes on board the Resolution, and sometimes in his own canoe, procured them a welcome reception at Lefooga, where they first landed. A large assembly was held on the shore; Feenou, with Capt. Cook and Omai, sat in a house placed there on purpose, while the multitude sat in a circle in front of them; Taipa, by Feenou's direction, harangued the people, on the subject of trading honestly with their visitors, and treating them kindly; and Earoupa, chief of the island, did the same. The Captain gave liberal presents to ​the chiefs, and Feenou pretended to be displeased at his giving so much. Large supplies were now brought to the ships, an extensive trade in provisions being carried on.
Next day, another large assembly was held in the same spot, where no less than 3000 natives met, to honour the Captain and his friends. When he had sat down with Feenou as before, about 100 men advanced with quantities of fruits, and some pigs, fowls, and turtles; all of which were deposited in two heaps. The multitude formed a large circle without; and into this circle several men entered, armed with clubs, and entertained the company with a succession of single combats. At the close of each, the victor squatted himself down facing the chief, then rose up, and retired; while some old men, sitting as judges, gave their plaudits, which were re-echoed by the multitude in loud huzzas. At intervals, there were wrestling and boxing matches; in which last some females engaged, which drew marks of disapprobation from the British. These games being finished, Feenou told Capt. Cook, that the largest of the heaps of provisions was a present to him, and the smallest a present to Omai; who had become the chief's peculiar friend and constant attendant. He added, that no guard was required to protect the presents, for the natives would not touch a single nut. They were accordingly left behind, while Feenou went on board with the Captain to dinner: and when taken on board in the afternoon, not an article was missing, and the whole filled no less than four boats, being the most munificent gift of the kind which our navigator had ever received. He took care to give the generous donor some ​valuable presents in return, with which Feenou was so well pleased, that as soon as he got on shore, he sent a fresh donation of hogs, cloth, and yams.
On tuesday, the 20th, another great assembly was held, when the marines from both ships, by Feenou's desire, went through their exercise, and fired several vollies. The natives, in return, entertained their visitors with a grand dance, performed by 105 men, each flourishing in his hand a neat instrument, like a short paddle, changing their attitudes and places with great agility and exactness, and forming themselves into lines, semicircles, and square columns, with a dexterity far surpassing the military manœuvres of the marines. The whole performance, which was accompanied with music, both vocal and instrumental, was so admirably executed, as to strike the British with surprise. When it was dark, the natives were again astonished and delighted, in their turn, by a display of fire works, which their visitors exhibited. Yet, as if resolved not to be outdone by the British, the natives immediately after, engaged in a succession of night dances, some performed by women, and some by men, who made their evolutions in lines, circles, semi-circles, &c., while a band of music, or chorus, was stationed in the centre. The dances, the music, the recitatives, and responses, afforded such a varied display of skill, agility, melodious tones, expressive gestures, and graceful action, as could not fail to command the admiration of the spectators. The dances were performed in an open space among the trees, just by the sea, with lights, at small intervals, placed round the inside of the circle.
It is painful to think, that amidst this profusion ​of entertainments furnished to their British guests, a diabolical plot was laid by some of the native chiefs, to fall upon them suddenly, and massacre them all, with a view to get possession of the ships, and all their valuable contents. That such a plot was devised, and was only prevented from being carried into effect, through a difference of opinion among the chiefs, as to the proper time for giving the signal, and making the attack, is strongly asserted in Mariner's Account of the Tonga Islands, Vol. II. p. 64, &c. There are many statements in that book glaringly incorrect, such as the account of the murder of the Missionaries. Indeed, it sets out with a notorious blunder in the very dedication, which states that Sir Joseph Banks visited the Tonga Islands with Captain Cook. There is something in Mariner's account of the plot, not consistent with Cook's narrative; particularly in speaking of another grand entertainment by day, succeeding the great night dance, of which entertainment Cook makes no mention: yet as Mariner was informed of this plot by several chiefs who were concerned in it, and by a son of Feenou himself; and as it is known, that the same treacherous designs were formed against other ships that afterwards visited these islands, and too often were carried into effect, as in the case of the Port au Prince, Mariner's own ship, which was seized by the natives at this same island Lefooga, there is reason to believe that such a plot was conceived and proposed. From the duplicity with which Feenou acted in some other matters, we may conceive him capable of such villany; although he is not said to have been the contriver of the plot, but only to have fallen in with it, when proposed ​by others. However far the design was carried, a gracious Providence prevented its execution.
On wednesday, the 21st, Capt. Cook took a walk into the country, where he saw plantations larger, and better managed, than in Annamooka. Returning on board to dinner, he found a large canoe fast to the ship's stern, in which was no less a personage than the grave and stupid Areekee, seen in the former voyage at Tongataboo, and known by the name Latooliboula, or as some write it, Latoo Libooloo. He maintained the same gravity and taciturnity as before, and could not be persuaded to go on board. Feenou was in the ship at the time, yet the two chiefs took no notice of each other. It is now known, that Latoo Libooloo, who was weak in intellect, was not actually King, but obtained the title and honours of royalty on account of his high birth, as the natives here pay great deference to distinctions of rank and blood.
When our navigator was about to unmoor, on the 23rd, to proceed to Tongataboo, Feenou and Taipa came alongside in a canoe, stating that they were going to Vavaoo, to get further supplies for him, and begging him to wait their return. He immediately proposed to proceed thither with the ships, to examine Vavaoo, an object that was highly desirable, as the large and interesting cluster of islands so named, had not hitherto been explored by any European; but Feenou not wishing, in this instance, to have the ships with him, dissuaded him from his purpose, by falsely affirming, that there was neither harbour nor anchorage there. After he was gone, the Hapaee people spread a false report, that a large ship had arrived at Annamooka, perhaps wishing to get rid of their visitors, ​now that their provisions were much exhausted.
On monday, May 26th, the ships were moved into a bay on the north side of Hoolaiva. Next day a sailing canoe arrived, on board of which was Poulaho, the real King of the Friendly Isles. On the Captain's invitation, he came on board the Resolution, bringing with him two good fat hogs; though not so fat as himself. His attendants objected to his entering the cabin, lest any one should walk over his head; but the objection was obviated by the Captain's giving orders, that no one, during his stay, should walk over the cabin. He examined every thing attentively, and put various questions to the Captain, with whom he sat down to dinner. After receiving some presents, with which he was well pleased, he went on shore, accompanied by Captain Cook; with whom he seated himself in a small house near the shore, while the natives sat in a semi-circle in front of the house. The various articles which his people had got by trading with the ships, were now produced; the owners first squatting themselves down before him, and then depositing their purchases, and retiring. He was pleased with their bargains, and ordered every thing to be returned to them, except a glass bowl, which he reserved for himself. His attendants did obeisance by touching his feet, and great decorum was observed in his presence. He gave the Captain some more hogs, and presented him with a cap, or bonnet, covered with red feathers; an article so scarce and valuable, that none else obtained one here, except Capt. Clerke and Omai.
The ships sailed on the 29th for Annamooka, accompanied by the King and other chiefs; but the weather growing stormy on the 31st, they ​narrowly escaped being wrecked on a sandy isle between Footooha and Kotoo; at which last, the King and his suite, who were frightened at the danger incurred, were put on shore. Capt. Cook also landed to examine the isle; which he found tolerably well cultivated, but thinly peopled. On thursday, the 5th of June, the ships anchored at Annamooka. Next day, Feenou arrived from Vavaoo. He pretended, that several canoes were coming laden with hogs and other provisions, but had been lost in the stormy weather; a tale to which Capt. Cook, who was now acquainted with his character, gave no credit. Next day, Poulaho and his attendants arrived, when Feenou was content to take his station among the latter; and when the King came on board to dine, Feenou could not sit at meat with him, but after making obeisance in the usual way, by saluting his sovereign's foot with his head and lands, retired out of the cabin. Omai, who had attached himself to Feenou, and exchanged names with him, was much disappointed when another King made his appearance, and at first refused to acknowledge Poulaho; but now he was fully satisfied as to the rank of his friend.
Yet Feenou was a chief of high rank, and great power, being the brother of Poulaho's Queen, and holding an important place under him. Captain Cook considered him as Commander in chief of the forces, and head officer of police; Veeson's Narrative makes him chief of Eooa; and Mariner calls him tributary chief of Hapaee; which last is perhaps his most correct designation. We learn from the Missionary Transactions, Veeson's Narrative, and Mariner's Account, that his fan:ily, not many years after this, attained those royal honours ​to which he now made pretensions. On the death of Poulaho, whose son Futtafaihe (the family name) was left a minor, his widow took possession of the government; but was speedily dispossessed by Toogahowe, a nephew of Feenou, who got his father Moomooe, Feenou's brother, appointed sovereign chief, or Dugonagaboola. When Moomooe died, April 29th, 1797, Toogahowe succeeded him; and Feenou died a few weeks after, his death being said to have been hastened by his disappointment, in not succeeding to the sovereignty himself. In April, 1799, his two sons, Feenou and Toobo Neuha, murdered their cousin, the Dugonagaboola; and after a series of bloody wars and horrid crimes, this second Feenou secured to himself the sovereign power, over the Hapaee and Vavaoo isles; while Tongataboo, no longer the chief seat of government, was desolated by his frequent invasions, and its own internal wars. At his death, in 1810, he was succeeded by his son, another Feenou, whom Mariner considered as a prince of very superior intellect and character. Some of the Feenous bore the surname Loogolala.
When the Resolution and Discovery sailed from Annamooka to Tongataboo, on the 8th of June, Poulaho and Fenou also proceeded thither in their respective canoes. In approaching Tongataboo, both ships struck on some coral rocks; but got into safe anchorage in the evening of the 9th. Among many natives who visited them next morning, was Captain Cook's good friend Attago, or Otago, who brought him a hog, and some yams: Toobou, the friend of Capt. Furneaux, presented a similar token of regard; and the Captain made suitable returns to both.